Former assistant of Erik ten Hag claims Manchester United manager lacks ‘fire and passion’
Erik ten Hag’s former assistant, Benni McCarthy, has made bold claims about the Manchester United manager, stating that he lacks the ‘fire’ and ‘passion’ needed to inspire his team. McCarthy, who spent two years as part of ten Hag’s staff at Old Trafford, has raised concerns about the Dutchman’s leadership style as pressure mounts on him following a recent defeat to Tottenham.
The defeat has reignited speculation about ten Hag’s future at the club, especially after narrowly escaping the sack earlier in the summer. Manchester United’s disappointing start to the season, which has seen them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League with just two wins from their first six games, has only added to the scrutiny on the manager.
While acknowledging that Erik ten Hag is tactically astute, McCarthy believes that what is missing is the emotional connection with the players. In an interview with Portuguese outlet ZeroZero, McCarthy expressed his views on the importance of passion in a coach-player relationship, suggesting that players respond better to a coach who demonstrates unwavering support and determination.
Manchester United’s upcoming Europa League clash with Porto presents a crucial opportunity for ten Hag to turn things around. McCarthy also singled out Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot for their exemplary attitudes and work ethic, indicating that their commitment sets a standard for others to follow.
McCarthy highlighted that some players at Manchester United need to step up and match the dedication shown by Fernandes and Dalot to improve the team’s performance. He emphasised the importance of every player giving their best in training and during matches to achieve the desired results, pointing out that inconsistency in effort was holding the team back.
As Manchester United navigates through a challenging period, the spotlight remains firmly on Erik ten Hag and his ability to motivate and inspire his players to deliver better results on the pitch.