BREAKING NEWS: Erik ten Hag Takes Aim at Modern Footballers, Including Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford… read more
Erik ten Hag, the former Manchester United manager, has sparked controversy by suggesting that modern-day footballers are too sensitive and unable to handle criticism. Ten Hag, who had a tumultuous tenure at Old Trafford, singled out former players Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford as examples of those who struggled to take constructive criticism.
Ten Hag’s comments come after a series of high-profile bust-ups with his former players. Ronaldo was infamously sacked by Manchester United during the 2022 World Cup after a television interview in which he criticized Ten Hag and stated that he didn’t respect him. Sancho was also disciplined by Ten Hag after questioning his attitude in training, while Rashford was forced to apologize for embarking on a boozy night out in Belfast without the team’s permission.
According to Ten Hag, the current generation of footballers is too thin-skinned and unable to handle criticism. “This generation usually finds it difficult to deal with criticism,” he said. “Criticism really gets to them. The generation that I grew up in had much thicker skin. You could be much more direct. I was approached much more directly.”
Ten Hag believes that his direct approach, which worked well with players from a previous generation, would be counterproductive with modern-day footballers. “If I would do that with my current group of players, I would demotivate them,” he said. “If you do that to the current generation, they find it offensive.”
Despite his criticisms of modern footballers, Ten Hag expressed his gratitude to Manchester United fans for their support during his time at the club. “What makes the Manchester United fans so special is that they stand by the team even in the face of setbacks,” he said. “I was appreciated, and I always felt that when I walked the streets of Manchester.”
Ten Hag’s comments are likely to spark a heated debate about the mindset of modern footballers and the challenges of managing them. While some may agree with Ten Hag’s assessment, others will argue that his approach was too confrontational and that he failed to adapt to the changing needs of his players.
As the football world continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the relationship between managers and players is becoming increasingly complex. With the rise of social media and the growing influence of player power, managers must navigate a delicate balance between discipline and empathy. Whether Ten Hag’s approach was right or wrong, his comments serve as a reminder that the art of management is constantly evolving, and that those who fail to adapt risk being left behind.
