S Poddar
Erik ten Hag has weighed in on the changing mindset of modern footballers, saying that the current generation of players have difficulty coping with criticism in contrast to players from his generation. The Dutchman, who was sacked as Manchester United’s manager in October, feels that the modern generation of footballers need to be approached differently when being coached.
Looking back on his own experience, Ten Hag noted how the players he came up with had “much thicker skin” and could take direct criticism without it denting their confidence. The 55-year-old’s Manchester United tenure was characterized by a number of instances where players publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with his handling.
One of the highest-profile cases concerned Cristiano Ronaldo, who, in a dramatic 2022 interview, blamed Ten Hag for having no respect. “He did not have respect for him because he does not show respect to me,” Ronaldo claimed, comments that eventually forced him out of the club.
A year ago, Jadon Sancho also publicly clashed with Ten Hag. Following the Dutchman’s explanation that the England winger’s subpar training sessions were the reason he was left out of the team, Sancho took to social media, saying he was being made a “scapegoat.” The incident turned into an extended standoff, further highlighting the generation gap Ten Hag speaks of when describing how criticism is taken today.
Talking to SEG Stories, Ten Hag detailed this change of mentality in the player, detailing how today’s footballer needs a more tender touch. “This generation tend to have a hard time handling criticism. Criticism gets to them pretty badly. My generation when I was growing up had a lot thicker skin. You could be a lot more blunt with that generation. I was approached a lot more bluntly. If I would approach my group of players today the way I approached them, I would de-motivate them.”
He also likened his style to that of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United’s great manager, who ruled the club with an iron fist. “With this generation, you select different words and a different style. [Sir Alex] Ferguson was also of the earlier generation. With that generation, you could be far more straightforward in your communication and style.”
The Dutchman recognized the necessity of flexibility in management styles, adding that establishing a relationship with players necessitates a delicate balance of praise and criticism. “With this generation, you have to get your message across in a more diplomatic manner to achieve the same reaction. You have to give the player more love. Our generation had to do that much less than this generation.”
Ten Hag’s time at Manchester United was not without triumph and adversity. He arrived in the summer of 2022 and led the team to victory in domestic cup competitions, winning the League Cup and FA Cup. In spite of the drama, he spoke well of his time at Old Trafford and gratitude for the club’s fans.
“I enjoyed my stint with the club very much. I felt appreciated by the fans,” he said, highlighting the positive aspects of his tenure despite the controversies surrounding certain players.
Since leaving United, there have been rumors as to his return to managerial football. Ten Hag, though, explained that he is not at all in any hurry to go back. “I am doing nothing until 1 July,” he said, explaining that he is giving himself time to ponder and weigh things up before again entering management.
His remarks are made at a time when football is experiencing a wider change in player mentality and coaching styles. While previous generations of players were taught to endure scathing criticism as a means of improvement, younger footballers tend to need a more supportive and inspirational style. Modern managers have to walk a fine line between keeping discipline and not having their words demoralize.
Ten Hag’s comments are in line with a trend in contemporary football where man-management skills are as important as tactical acumen. Although his bluntness has created tension with certain players at Manchester United, his ability to change and recognize the necessity for a different approach can influence his future managerial career.
As football evolves, so too must the ways of those who manage teams. Whether Ten Hag’s future position will have him adopt a more tactful style or continue his strong-arm approach remains to be seen. What is certain, though, is that his time at Manchester United was a learning experience—one that illuminates the shifting dynamics between managers and players in the modern game.
