Holland legend Guus Hiddink reveals the key mistake Erik ten Hag made at Man Utd that left him ‘watched with suspicion’
FORMER Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes Erik ten Hag’s downfall at Man Utd was due to an over-reliance on his personal circle.
According to Holland legend Hiddink, Ten Hag failed to integrate into the culture at Old Trafford and left himself “isolated”.
Ten Hag, 54, was sacked by United after a dismal run of results which culminated in a 2-1 defeat to relegation strugglers West Ham.
United’s fourth Premier League defeat of the season proved to be the breaking point as Ineos swiftly replaced him with Ruben Amorim.
While the autopsies on Ten Hag’s two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford are still being crafted, Hiddink has shared his own thoughts on where the former Ajax manager went wrong.
He told Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur: “Everyone does it in their own way, but I was surprised at how many confidants Erik gathered around him
“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.
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“You should not respond to force that comes your way with force. Then it will explode somewhere.”
Hiddink had two successful spells in charge of Chelsea, leading them to the FA Cup in 2009.
It comes as first-team coach Steve McClaren and trainers Benni McCarthy and Richard Hartis all departed over Ten Hag’s reign.
The decision to sack Ten Hag was not taken easily after a summer in which United had backed him with a new contract, £205m spent on the transfers he wanted, and even his own additions to his staff.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who Ten Hag hired in the summer, was waiting in the shadows as he was named interim manager before Amorim arrived.
Van Nistelrooy, who wanted to return to his assistant role after his four game stint, was dismissed by Amorim on day one.
But the legendary United striker has since been named as Leicester City’s new manager after Steve Cooper was sacked on Sunday.
With Ten Hag gone, Amorim now faces the challenge of steering United back to success after enjoying an undefeated record with Sporting this season.
Amorim started his reign with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich but claimed his first Old Trafford victory with a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Red Devils sit 12th in the Prem as they host Everton on Sunday.
Ten Hag's five worst defeats
ERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.
5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023
The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.
4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.
3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022
Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.
2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024
The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.
1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023
Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years.