Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure from Manchester United has left the club searching for a new manager, and one name that has been heavily linked with the job is Erik ten Hag. The Ajax boss has impressed in his time with the Dutch club, leading them to domestic success as well as making a deep run in the Champions League.
However, former United striker Teddy Sheringham has warned that Ten Hag may not be the right fit for the club just yet. Speaking to Sky Sports, Sheringham said, “I think Erik ten Hag has done a fantastic job at Ajax and he’s a very good coach, but I’m not sure if he’s the right man for Manchester United at this moment in time.”
Sheringham’s concerns stem from Ten Hag’s lack of experience managing in a top European league, as well as the pressure and scrutiny that comes with managing a club as big as Manchester United. The former England international believes that the step up from managing Ajax to United may be too big of a leap for Ten Hag at this stage in his career.
“I think he needs a bit more experience at a higher level before taking on a job like Manchester United,” Sheringham continued. “It’s a huge club with huge expectations, and it’s a different kind of pressure than what he’s used to at Ajax. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but it would be a big risk for United to appoint him at this moment in time.”
Despite his reservations, Sheringham did acknowledge that Ten Hag has the potential to succeed at United if given the opportunity. “He’s a talented coach and he’s shown that he can get the best out of his players at Ajax. If he were to come to United, he would have the chance to work with some top-class players and make a name for himself on the big stage.”
Ultimately, the decision on who will be the next manager of Manchester United rests with the club’s hierarchy. While Erik ten Hag may be a frontrunner for the job, there are still questions about whether he is the right man to lead the Red Devils back to the top of English and European football. Only time will tell if Sheringham’s concerns are valid, or if Ten Hag will prove himself as the right man for the job.
