Ruud Gullit has laughed at Erik ten Hag and believes he 'underestimates' the task at Manchester United. Ten Hag was appointed as United's new head coach in May 2022 after a disappointing sixth-place finish.
During his first transfer window, Ten Hag entered the Dutch market and signed several players from his native Netherlands, with Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Tyrell Malacia coming from the Eredivisie. Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were among the others to sign for United.
Ten Hag was successful during his first season at Old Trafford, helping United to a third-place finish, winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup final. He brought the feel-good factor back to the club even though there were still cracks in performance, albeit with some impressive results.
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However, his fortunes began to fall apart last season as United began to struggle. They were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, had an early exit from the Carabao Cup and finished in eighth place in the Premier League. But it was a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup that saved Ten Hag's job.
He managed to sign an extension to his United contract but only lasted three months this season before being sacked. And now former Chelsea midfielder Gullit has explained why he felt Ten Hag was doomed from the start – and he thinks it was because he signed players – such as Antony and Martinez – from Ajax.
“The biggest mistake he made and we warned him: don't bring players from Ajax to the Premier League,” Gullit told beIN Sports. 'It's not the same. What is he doing? He does the same.
“[Louis] Van Gaal did the same, he brought [Memphis] Depay and he did not do the same. He (Ten Hag) brought in Malacia and didn't contribute in the Premier League.
“I get it, you're used to seeing these players every day, you know them and you think they can do this too. But that's not the case when you go to the Premier League, it's a different way, it's faster. there is more intensity. So that's why it's difficult and we warned him and said, 'Don't do it'.
“I still think Ten Hag is a good coach, but I think he has underestimated the task at Manchester United.”
While Martinez hasn't been perfect, he has been one of Ten Hag's most successful signings following his £57million move from Ajax in 2022. The 26-year-old has since made 79 appearances for United, starting in the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest. under Ruben Amorim on Saturday.
Antony, meanwhile, showed promise in his first season at United after joining from Ajax for £86m, but has since flopped. In fact, the Brazilian has only scored four goals and added two assists in 45 appearances in all competitions. Considering the fee United paid for him, the 24-year-old has failed to impress.
Malacia was the third player that Ten Hag signed directly from the Netherlands in his first spell at the club. The left-back made 39 appearances in all competitions in his debut season at Old Trafford, but did not play at all the following season after suffering a serious knee injury. He's only just returned.
Gullit may not have been impressed with the Dutch players United have signed, but there are a few who have excelled in the Premier League. Jurrien Timber, who joined Arsenal from Ajax in 2023, has settled into life in England, while Cody Gakpo has done the same at Liverpool.
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