Erik ten Hag: Modern Footballers Struggle with Criticism

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag discusses the difficulties of working with young players in the modern era.

Erik ten Hag, the former Manchester United manager, has shared his thoughts on the challenges of managing modern footballers. In a recent interview with SEG Stories, a media outlet attached to his management agency, Ten Hag revealed that he believes today's players struggle to cope with criticism. “This generation usually find it difficult to deal with criticism,” he said. “Criticism really gets to them.”

Ten Hag's tenure at Manchester United was marked by high-profile clashes with several players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford. Ronaldo famously stated that he did not respect Ten Hag, leading to his exit from the club in November 2022. Sancho, now on loan at Chelsea, also publicly responded to Ten Hag's criticism, saying he was being made a “scapegoat” after being dropped from the team.

Ten Hag reflected on the differences between his generation and the current crop of players. “The generation that I grew up in had much thicker skin,” he said. “You could be much more direct with that generation. I was approached much more directly. If I would do that with my current group of players, I would demotivate them.” This comment highlights the challenges of adapting to the changing dynamics of modern football and the need for managers to develop new strategies for motivating and criticizing their players.

Erik ten Hag, who was succeeded by Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager, reflected on his experience working with young players during his tenure. He noted that young players like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo require a different approach. “Young players need different words and a different approach,” he said. This comment highlights the importance of adaptability in modern football management.

Ten Hag drew on his experience working with different generations of players, comparing his approach to that of former United boss Alex Ferguson. “(Former United boss Alex) Ferguson also belonged to the previous generation. With that generation, you could be much more direct in your communication and approach,” he said. In contrast, Ten Hag emphasized the need for a more tactful approach when working with the current generation of players. “With this generation, you have to convey your message in a more tactful way to get the same effect. You have to show the player more love. Our generation found that much more difficult to do than this generation.”

Despite his struggles during his time at Manchester United, Ten Hag expressed his appreciation for the experience and the support of the fans. During his tenure, he won the League Cup and FA Cup, although the team finished eighth in the Premier League last season. This marked the club's lowest top-flight finish in decades. Ten Hag's departure has been followed by a difficult period for the club under new manager Ruben Amorim, with United currently sitting 15th in the Premier League.

🚨EXC : Full interview by SEG with former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag. #MUFC #tenhag pic.twitter.com/oLpF9iMcPp

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Manchester United's struggles on the pitch have been accompanied by significant changes off the pitch. The club recently announced plans to make up to 200 fresh job cuts as part of a “transformation plan” aimed at improving financial sustainability. This move is likely to have significant implications for the club's operations and staff. As United prepares to face relegation-threatened Ipswich at home on Wednesday, the team will be looking to turn their fortunes around and climb the Premier League table.