Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot react to Manchester United sacking Erik ten Hag

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has expressed sympathy for Erik ten Hag after he was sacked by Manchester United and backed his compatriot to land another ‘big’ job in the near future.

United finally pulled the plug Ten Hag on Monday following the Premier League club’s dismal start to the season.

Manchester United are just 14th in the Premier League after nine games and were beaten 2-1 by West Ham at the weekend.

Ex-Ajax boss Ten Hag took over in the summer of 2022 and led the club to third place in his first season.

The Dutchman also lifted two trophies during his time in charge – the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup almost six months ago – but Manchester United finished eighth last year and looked set for another difficult campaign based on their early-season form.

Slot, who has made a superb start to his tenure as Liverpool manager, says it was ‘hard’ to hear of his compatriot’s sacking but does not expect it to end his managerial career.

‘Well, he’s a Dutch manager so it makes it even harder for me and us as Dutch people,’ Slot said at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

‘Obviously your first thoughts are with the person, we know in this industry and in this job it can happen.

‘I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts in, so to get this news it is a pity for him.

‘But we also know how well he did at Ajax and he won two trophies here, so we will see him in the near future at a big club again.

‘But at the moment it’s a – I wouldn’t say tragedy – but it’s a big disappointment for him I’m sure.’

Slot’s Liverpool are one of four English teams to have beaten Manchester United this season. The Red Devils are also just 21st out of 38 in the new Europa League table.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, says he feels ‘so sorry’ for Ten Hag but expects the Dutchman to ‘come back stronger’.

‘I feel sorry for managers who lose their position. I’m so sorry for him,’ Guardiola said.

‘I think I have a good relationship with him. He represented Man United in the highest level in terms of his behaviour.

‘But our job, the manager job, is one of the few jobs in the world that people expect to be sacked. It’s our job, we have to accept it.

‘I wish him all the best, him and his family. Of course he’s going to come back stronger, everyone knows our job depends on the result. Even myself, I am not an exception.’

Old Trafford legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the club as Ten Hag’s assistant last summer, has been named as interim manager.

Manchester United have opened talks with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim about replacing Ten Hag on a permanent basis, though Graham Potter and Thomas Frank are also believed to be figures of interest.

Following Ten Hag’s dismissal, United captain Bruno Fernandes said: ‘Thanks for everything, boss.

‘I appreciate the trust and the moments we share together, I wish you all the best in the future.

‘Even knowing the last period hasn’t been great from all of us I hope you fans can keep with you the good things the manager has done for our club!’

Gary Neville, meanwhile, added on Sky Sports: ‘It was coming.

‘Tottenham [3-0 home defeat] looked like the kind of game I have seen before. It was a bad day for Manchester United and a bad one for Erik ten Hag.

‘It’s got worse and missing chances [on Sunday] was unacceptable. The big shock for me is how bad they have been with the new signings.

‘That they are in 14th is unacceptable. I was hoping it would end differently, and that the faith shown would pay off, but it was not to be.’

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