"On many, many occasions" - Erik ten Hag's former assistant admits he was expecting Manchester United sack after key result last season
Steve McClaren, Erik ten Hag's former assistant at Manchester United, has claimed that he expected the Dutchman's sacking on multiple occasions last season. He thought the 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace was the end of Ten Hag's time at the club.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McClaren pointed out that many fans wanted the manager gone after the defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford. He said:
"On many, many occasions. After Brighton and Brentford (fans were) calling for his head after two games, and then (we) beat Liverpool 3-0. I remember last season, Crystal Palace 4-0, it could have been 8-0 and thinking that this is the end but (then) winning the next four games culminating in a cup final again and winning the cup."
Steve McClaren left Manchester United earlier this year and was appointed the manager of Jamaica. He also assisted Sir Alex Ferguson before starting his journey as a head coach.
Erik ten Hag backed to turn things at Manchester United by Steve McClaren
Steve McClaren believes Erik ten Hag is the perfect manager for Manchester United and the management should stick with him. He claimed that the manager had shown time and again at Manchester United that he could turn things around and told Sky Sports:
"Erik is that kind of person who has the qualities to stick to the process. I was there at the beginning of the season when all this was going on – the recruitment, the thing with Ineos bringing in different coaches and I remember leaving there and the atmosphere was great. The atmosphere was great and the players they were recruiting were very good and the squad was building and developing."
"I thought they were bringing in good coaches with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake and I thought there was a really good positive atmosphere and I think the season started like that. Then they have stuttered but that is what happens in football, it happens at big clubs and Erik has proved over the last two years that we have been through this many times. Many times we used to sit in that canteen at breakfast with a cup of tea with crisis after crisis but somehow continuing to do the work, continuing the process and coming out with a win at a vital time," he added.
Manchester United are currently 14th in the Premier League and will face high-flying Aston Villa on Sunday, October 6.