With a 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday night, England began their Euro 2024 campaign, but the Manchester United manager had plenty to say about their lacklustre performance.
Even though Gareth Southgate’s tactics during England’s 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday closely resembled Manchester United’s under the Dutchman, Erik ten Hag took aim at the England manager for them.
Jude Bellingham’s header in the 13th minute gave the Three Lions a 1-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen to start their Euro 2024 campaign.
Despite having the most of the ball, Southgate’s team was unable to generate many opportunities; in fact, captain Harry Kane barely touched the ball once in the first forty-five minutes. Ten Hag was not satisfied with England’s play, even though Kane came near with a header as the game went into the second half.
As a pundit for the Dutch television network NOS, the Manchester United manager stated following the game, “It’s the vision of the manager [Southgate].”
“After England takes a 1-0 lead, Southgate chooses to gamble by compacting his team and depending on individual performances in the closing minutes of the match.
Erik ten Hag speaks on NOS ( Image: NOS)
There is a compelling case to be made that Ten Hag was only outlining his team’s strategies—which frequently revolve around depending on big plays to win games—but the Dutchman has since grown more confident in his position as a result of United’s decision to retain him this summer after completing a club assessment.
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Although many had anticipated that Ten Hag’s tenure as United’s manager would end with the FA Cup final last month, he will continue in his position and is anticipated to negotiate a new deal.
Ten Hag said that the team discussed replacing him with Thomas Tuchel, the former manager of Chelsea who left Bayern Munich this summer, but he believes they ultimately made the right choice.
Southgate’s England laboured to a 1-0 victory ( Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Talking to another manager is not done here in Holland; in fact, it’s not even allowed,” he declared. However, laws and regulations are different in England. INEOS proceeded slowly. In football, it’s common to look back on the season because they are new. It’s no secret that they had conversations with several applicants.
“Manchester United informed me that they had a conversation with Tuchel, but in the end, they decided they already had the best manager.”
Luke Shaw, the left-back for United, will be able to play again for England in the knockout stages, according to Ten Hag.
