What's Happening?
Former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has commented on his time with Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, stating that Ronaldo was 'never the problem' during his tenure. Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United in 2021 but had a challenging relationship with Ten Hag, which led to his departure by mutual consent a year later. Despite the difficulties, Ten Hag led Manchester United to win two domestic trophies, including the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. Ten Hag was dismissed from his position last October after a poor start to the 2024-25 season and has since taken over as manager at Bayer Leverkusen.
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Why It's Important?
Ten Hag's remarks highlight the complexities of managing high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo and the impact such relationships can have on a team's dynamics and performance. His tenure at Manchester United, marked by both challenges and successes, underscores the pressures faced by managers in top-tier football. The transition to Bayer Leverkusen represents a new chapter for Ten Hag, offering him an opportunity to apply his experience in a different league and potentially influence the team's future trajectory.
What's Next?
Ten Hag's first competitive match as Bayer Leverkusen's manager is scheduled against SG Sonnenhof in the DFB Pokal on August 15, followed by their Bundesliga opener against TSG Hoffenheim. His focus will be on building a strong team and continuing his career-long pursuit of winning trophies, as he aims to replicate his success at Manchester United with Leverkusen.
