Erik ten Hag could make Premier League return after Manchester United sacking
Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United included winning the Carabao Cup in his first season and the FA Cup in his second
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be eager to prove himself again following a disappointing first stint in the Premier League, according to former Netherlands international Ryan Babel.
Babel, who had a second Premier League opportunity with Fulham nearly a decade after leaving Liverpool, briefly worked under Ten Hag during a 2020 loan spell at Ajax.
Babel has no doubts about Ten Hag’s character, having witnessed his managerial qualities up close.
Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United included winning the Carabao Cup in his first season and the FA Cup in his second.
However, his time in charge ended in disappointment, with United finishing eighth in the Premier League last season despite substantial investment in new signings.
The club dismissed Erik ten Hag just nine games into the current campaign, with the team languishing in 14th place.
Over a month has passed since Ten Hag’s departure, and the former Ajax boss has yet to announce his next career move.
Babel acknowledged Ten Hag’s strengths but also noted the distinct challenges of managing in the Premier League compared to the Eredivisie, highlighting the difference in competitive environments.
“I do know that he is a great coach, he has a great vision, he has a great eye for football but, again, the Premier League is a different ball game to the Dutch way of playing,” Babel told Instant Casino.
“It is not always suitable in the Premier League to play with those principles.
“In the Premier League, you need to be able to adapt. You need to have a plan B for strategy.
“I’m not sure if he had that. I think he was too wedded to his plan and tried to make it work even when it was turning against him.
“That’s what I believe happened. It’s sad of course to see a fellow Dutchman go down like that, but I’m sure he will bounce back.”
When asked about a return to the English top-flight for Ten Hag, Babel added: “He seems like a type who wants to bounce back.
“Whether he gets that chance, I don’t know. But he definitely wants to prove himself.”
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