Erik ten Hag appears to be trying to start the mind games with Arne Slot well before the new Liverpool head coach has even taken charge of his first match in England.
The Manchester United boss – whose own future is still uncertain despite winning the FA Cup last weekend – has come out with a bizarre cheap shot at the 45-year-old’s work with Feyenoord, who he led to second place in the Eredivisie this season and with whom he won the Dutch title last year.
The Red Devils manager said (via The Mirror): “People have been going overly lyrical about Feyenoord. 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.
“[Peter] 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.”
These comments come just a few days after Ten Hag claimed that Slot is walking into a far more stable environment at Liverpool than he did at United two years ago, in what now looks like an attempt to apply some early pressure to his compatriot.
Why on Earth would Ten Hag come out with something like this off the back of a rare moment of glory in a torrid season for United?
Is he simply trying to deflect attention away from the speculation over his future? Has he developed an intense dislike of Feyenoord from his five years in charge of their arch-rivals Ajax?
Whatever his motivation, the 54-year-old’s actions appear completely unnecessary and could come back to haunt him. When Liverpool plays the Red Devils the following season, Slot will keep those remarks in mind—assuming, of course, that Ten Hag is still at Old Trafford.
The two players have met four times in the Eredivisie, with two victories apiece, so the new Reds manager won’t be afraid to take on his countryman in the most renowned match in English football.
When Slot plays United for the first time in a few months, he will be fully motivated to defeat them. Ten Hag may always rue his needless jab at the 45-year-old’s involvement with Feyenoord.
