Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has already taken aim at Arne Slot, the incoming Liverpool head coach.
Slot is set to replace Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout starting June 1. Liverpool announced Slot’s appointment earlier this month, just one day after Klopp managed his final match as Liverpool’s head coach.
For the past three seasons, Slot has been at the helm of Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. Under his guidance, Feyenoord clinched the league title last season and secured the KNVB Cup this year by defeating NEC Nijmegen in the final.
This season, Feyenoord finished second in the Eredivisie, trailing seven points behind the champions, PSV Eindhoven, managed by Peter Bosz.
Ten Hag has expressed admiration for PSV’s achievements this season and has implicitly criticised the accolades Feyenoord have received under Slot’s management.
“People have been going overly lyrical about Feyenoord,” said Ten Hag, via The Mirror.
“Feyenoord were steady this year, but not top. PSV Eindhoven were two classes better in all areas. In terms of dominating the ball, in terms of putting pressure, in terms of intensity, you name it.
“Bosz and his staff did that top notch, but the rest of the club is also well put together. PSV Eindhoven were better than the rest by such a long distance, even so much better than Feyenoord.”
This summer, Slot will oversee his inaugural pre-season as Liverpool’s head coach. He will be supported by Sipke Hulshoff and Ruben Peeters, who will join him as part of his backroom staff at Anfield for the upcoming season.
Ten Hag’s future at Manchester United has been the subject of intense speculation. Recent reports suggest that he might be dismissed from his role as manager of the Old Trafford club, despite leading the team to victory over Manchester City in last weekend’s FA Cup final.
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