"He represents Man United in the highest level in terms of behavior" - Pep Guardiola shares his thoughts on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United sack
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent commiserations to Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by Manchester United on Monday, October 28. The latter bore the brunt of the poor results that the Red Devils have shown all season, and was asked to leave the club with immediate effect.
Ahead of City's trip to London for their EFL Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, October 30, Guardiola addressed the media. The Spanish maestro mentioned that he feels for Ten Hag, and that the latter always represented Manchester United at the highest level in terms of behavior.
"I'm so sorry for him. I have an incredible relationship, and I think he represents Man United in the highest level in terms of behavior," Guardiola said (via @City_Xtra on X).
"I wish him all the best, he and his family, and he's going to come back stronger, and he knows, I know, everybody knows that our job depends on results. When the results are not good enough, always we are on the verge of staying or being sacked," he added.
Ten Hag's sacking comes in the midst of a disastrous season for Manchester United
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been handed interim charge of the Red Devils with a home game against Leicester City on Wednesday coming up next. The former United striker was a part of Erik Ten Hag's coaching staff and has retained his place at the club despite his mentor's removal.
Manchester United are ranked in the 14th position of the Premier League at the moment with 11 points in their kitty from nine games. They have won just three out of the nine matches they have played in the Premier League this season, to go with three draws in the UEFA Europa League.
This disastrous showing this season had the direct effect of Ten Hag being sacked on Monday. The issue gathered pace after United were beaten 1-2 by West Ham United on Sunday, October, 27.
A contentious penalty conceded by Matthijs de Ligt in the dying embers of the game allowed Jarrod Bowen to hand all three points to the Hammers. Although United seemed on top for most of the game and had the opportunity to wrap it off in the first half, they could not do so. Diogo Dalot's miss from point-blank range after the goalkeeper was sent haywire will surely haunt many Manchester United supporters. It will haunt Ten Hag for sure.