Ten Hag admits he has 'no Premier League' mates

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 29 Sept 2024 14:15 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has admitted that he does not have any fellow Premier League managers who are 'friends'.

The Dutchman joined at Old Trafford in April 2022, leading the side to the League Cup and the FA Cup, while campaigns in the league and Europe have been a mixed bag.

Sky Sports interviewed the United boss and asked if he is mates with any other managers. "No. [They are] colleagues but not friends," he replied. "If you meet them, I think it was always a good tradition in English football to meet each other after the matches.

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"But with all the media now, I think that the tradition is a little bit going away. I think it is a pity because it was a nice tradition in English football. But that is the way the football media has progressed."

United have been underwhelming so far but there is no chance that Ten Hag will be sacked anytime soon. Reports suggested that the pressure was on after back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and Twente.

Is Erik ten Hag friends with any Premier League managers? 👀 pic.twitter.com/CZ3dP2qnsj

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2024

Ten Hag not (yet) at risk of sack

However, contrary to some reports, Ten Hag is not (yet) at the risk of getting the sack. At least that is according to The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell, who reports that Man Utd's new INEOS bosses would prefer not having to make a change this early in the season.

“I think Ten Hag would be under huge pressure if United fail to win those [upcoming] games, but given what’s been said publicly – and what I hear privately regarding no appetite for change – I would be surprised if he loses his job at that juncture.

“Clearly, though, results need to improve. I haven’t heard any rumblings about a successor.” Man Utd's next five fixtures will see them face Tottenham, Porto, Aston Villa, Brentford and Fenerbahce.