Guus Hiddink has revealed what he views as a critical mistake Erik ten Hag made during his time at Manchester United.
After an impressive four-year spell in his native Netherlands with Ajax that saw the club reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, Ten Hag was appointed United boss in the summer of 2022.
He was tasked with leading a side that had slumped to sixth in the Premier League the previous season, leading to interim boss Ralf Rangnick infamously claiming the club needed 'open-heart surgery'.
Ten Hag would go on to win silverware in both of his first two seasons at Old Trafford, including defeating rivals Manchester City to capture the FA Cup in May.
However, after a dismal run of results at the start of the current campaign saw United fall to their worst-ever Premier League start, Ten Hag was sacked last month with Ruben Amorim appointed as his successor.
Speaking on his compatriot's time in England, Hiddink suggested an overreliance on 'old acquaintances' may have left Ten Hag isolated.
'Everyone does it in their own way, but I was surprised at how many confidants Erik gathered around him,' Hiddink told Dutch outlet Voetbal International.
'Then you end up on an island, which makes it more difficult to integrate into the culture of your new club and is watched with suspicion.
'I always took one assistant abroad with me, with whom I could map out things in the field of football. I therefore opted for local trainers and supervisors. People who knew the club or the country well.
'You play a role in how you are judged. Sometimes approach it with a wink. I mean, we are talking about football, not about war and peace.'
Upon arrival at United Ten Hag was joined by Steve McClaren his former Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag in the dugout.
Fellow Dutchman and United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy also later joined the club's coaching staff, before briefly succeeding Ten Hag on an interim basis after he was sacked.
McForlemu
0
What about Amorim who brought a whole complete coaching staff along? Will Guus say he won't last at Man United?
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
3
He should be called 2 Hag for the 2 trophies he won at Manchester United
Football_only
0
SLoT performance at Liverpool is the factor which made manutd to sack Eric without further ado, 3 seasons still struggling while slot is slowly slotting teams away in his first season!
exactly I m really confused how Slot is performing better than Klopp without any recruitment..this is one of the finest tradition in history of football
GolasoFC
1
Why are we still talking about Two Hag? Byiiie 👋🥴
koabceinr
4
he was so dependent on the same players and ignoring amad
diacdikmrt
2
At the he did win trophies.
diacdikmrt
0
I think ETH’s major issue was his man management skills, and prolly dealing with players who are egotistical(thinking they are big players when they are actually not) unlike his baby Ajax team where everyone was young and hungry for success.
True. He actually put in a lot of effort only for the players to not comply with what he wants rather show their egos. Bruno was never deserving of the handband. It makes him become more arrogant
Daphoenix23
6
I think ETH’s major issue was his man management skills, and prolly dealing with players who are egotistical(thinking they are big players when they are actually not) unlike his baby Ajax team where everyone was young and hungry for success.
jojo88
3
He lacks man management skill & also looks confused under pressure...He mismanaged funds
jiwakmprsy
2
I dint like the way he brought Dutch culture Oltrafford .
Mouaiklnsz
1
the problem with Ten is that he started selling players when he had nothing built around him??
Kkrexuke
3
Moyes sacked Alex Ferguson's whole coaching team and brought his own rubbish when he took over utd. needless to say, it ended badly
TheOddOne
1
some managers can change a league team fate in one season and after. not lije Ten Hag, takes forever to do, giving more excuses along the journey
truthisbitter
4
SLoT performance at Liverpool is the factor which made manutd to sack Eric without further ado, 3 seasons still struggling while slot is slowly slotting teams away in his first season!