Erik ten Hag’s close friend Leon Ten Voorde has revealed how the Manchester United manager really feels amid reports he could be set to lose his job.
There are rumours the Dutchman has just two games to turn things around at Old Trafford after a poor start to the 2024-25 season or he will be axed.
The Red Devils have lost half of their six Premier League games so far, including an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham last time out in the top-flight.
United haven’t performed much better on the European stage, being held to draws by both FC Twente and Porto in their opening two Europa League fixtures.
Ten Hag’s side are back in action on Sunday with a trip to face Aston Villa, who have enjoyed a much stronger start to the campaign.
Their next game after that sees them host early goal kings Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19.
Amid talk of Ten Hag facing a possible sacking if those matches don’t go to plan, his childhood friend Ten Voorde the De Ballen Verstand of TC Tubantia podcast: ‘How long does United think this can go on?
‘That question is now hanging over United and Ten Hag again. In general, he is calm and relaxed. But I can’t imagine that this leaves you completely unaffected.’
Ten Voorde also revealed that he urged Ten Hag to leave United in the summer after he guided the club to glory in last season’s FA Cup.
That was the second major trophy Ten Hag has delivered since he became United manager in 2022 after the club won the Carabao Cup in his debut campaign.
‘I advised him to leave last summer,’ Ten Voorde added, who has been friends with the United manager for over 40 years. ‘He won the FA Cup, so you leave through the front door.’
Ten Hag has faced criticism over United’s style of play as well as a number of his signings in various transfer windows, including £85,000,000 flop Antony.
However, he has also earned praise for developing some of United’s younger players such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
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