Erik ten Hag has been left “completely devastated” and “ruined” by Manchester United’s decision to sack him, according to his former teammate.
The 54-year-old, who was named the permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in April 2022, took charge of his final game on Sunday as United suffered a controversial 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
It has been a dismal start to the 2024/25 campaign for United, who currently sit 14th in the Premier Leaguewith three wins from their opening nine games.
In fact, since the start of March, United have picked up just 27 points from 21 league games, which is only one more than struggling Everton.
On Monday morning, the club confirmed that Ten Hag would not continue in his role at first-team manager. “We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future,” a club statement read.
Since being pictured sharing a hug with a member of airport staff before boarding a private jet to the Netherlands, Erik ten Hag has yet to publicly comment on his Old Trafford departure.
But three days on from his sacking, Dutch pundit Hans Kraay Jr – who played alongside Ten Hag at De Graafschap – has given an insight into the former Ajax manager’s current state of mind.
Speaking to Humberto Tan’s talk show, Kraay Jr said: “I understand that he is getting €17 million and then people say, ‘He will go somersaulting through Manchester’. No, he is completely, completely devastated, he is completely ruined.”
Ten Hag will be paid around £15 million in compensation for his early dismissal, according to widespread reports. He was said to be on an annual wage of around £6.75 million, and had a deal until the summer of 2026.
The money, however, is of little consolation to Ten Hag, according to Kraay Jr.
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