Former Netherlands international Ruud Gullit says he fears Ten Hag will not be given enough time to change things at Manchester United after United Legends have started putting pressure on him.
Erik Ten Hag became the seventh manager appointed by Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson Retired in 2013.
Manchester United is likely to miss out on the Champions League next season after a recent run of poor performances.
Ten Hag has a big job on his hands when he assumes work next season as he is touted as the man to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
Gullit who has Managed Chelsea and Newcastle United in the Premier League believes the constant scrutiny from United legends will not help the Dutch manager but put unnecessary pressure on him.
What was said?
He told The Rondo Show via The Mirror:‘I follow the media in England and I have already concluded that Ten Hag will not get the time to change things.’
‘Rio Ferdinand has put the pressure on, Gary Neville has done it, all the papers will be onto him. I have lived and worked in England.’
While Gullit believes United have finally made the right move in appointing a ‘young, modern manager’, he believes they have already fallen too far behind and says ten Hag will struggle to restore the club to its former glory.
‘The first club all the media look at and talk about is United,’ he said.
‘What United have done wrong is that when Man City and Liverpool made a change in their playing styles to a very attacking way, playing 4-3-3, pressing the opponent and using an aggressive style, United went the other way.
They went for older managers like David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho.
‘That did not work. Now United have realized that they must go for a young, modern manager too.
‘But it’s too late. In the end, they have now ended up with Ten Hag. As much as I wish he will succeed at United, I fear that this is going to be a really, really difficult project for him.’
Van Basten also believes his Countryman will be a success at Manchester United and urged him to add Cristiano Ronaldo to his plans.
Van Basten said: “I have trust in Erik ten Hag. When he came in at Ajax, there were also so many doubts about him. It was exactly the same situation as now with Manchester United. The media did not rate him. But he started to build – and did that really well. You can see his signature on everything that has happened at Ajax ever since he came into the club as a manager. I think he has done a really great job.
“Everyone in the country was putting question marks over the appointment of Ten Hag when he arrived at Ajax. The same thing is the case now. They criticize him and people are asking questions before he has even started at United. I am convinced he can live up to the expectations at United and the top of the Premier League.”
