Ten Hag Reflects on Ronaldo collaboration, Dismisses Lingering Issues
Manchester, England – Erik ten Hag addressed the contentious period surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo‘s departure from Manchester United, asserting that the Portuguese superstar was “never the problem” for him.the comments came following a recent exhibition match, prompting questions about whether the past conflict continues to affect Ten hag’s perspective.
Ten Hag stated the situation is firmly in the past, emphasizing that Manchester United achieved success – winning two trophies – after Ronaldo’s exit in late 2022. He extended well wishes to Ronaldo for his future endeavors. The exchange highlights a shift in tone from the highly public disagreements that characterized their time together at Old Trafford.
The initial rift stemmed from a series of critical interviews given by Ronaldo, first with Piers Morgan in 2022, where he expressed feelings of betrayal and a lack of respect for Ten Hag and other club officials. Ronaldo claimed he felt undermined and that the club was actively seeking ways to push him out.
In 2024, during an interview with Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo further criticized Ten Hag’s approach, questioning his ambition and commitment to competing for top honors. He suggested that Ten Hag should have publicly stated a commitment to pursuing Premier League and Champions League qualification, rather than appearing resigned to missing out.
Ronaldo also questioned Ten Hag’s managerial capabilities, suggesting he seek advice from figures with a deeper understanding of Manchester United’s history and culture, specifically mentioning Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, and Sir Alex Ferguson. He argued that building a successful club requires leveraging the knowledge of those who have previously achieved success there.
Ten Hag responded to Ronaldo’s comments at a press conference, acknowledging the Portuguese star’s right to an opinion but also pointing out that Ronaldo was “far away in Saudi arabia” and that his assessment reflected a distance from the current realities of the club. He reiterated Ronaldo’s own admission that Manchester United could not win the Premier League.
This latest statement from Ten hag signals a desire to move forward and focus on the future, despite the highly publicized and frequently enough acrimonious split with one of football’s greatest players. The incident serves as a case study in managing high-profile personalities and navigating challenging dynamics within a major football club.
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