“I warned Erik ten Hag about that particular player, he refused to bench him and he was sacked… Ruud van Nistelrooy is making the same mistake now, I’m warning also”: Pep Gaurdiorla names ONE player who doesn’t deserve to start for Man United, warned Van Nistelrooy about the unforgivable mistake.
Pep Guardiola extended an open invitation for Erik ten Hag to visit Manchester City’s training ground after the Dutch coach was dismissed by Manchester United on Monday.
During their two seasons in England together, Guardiola and Ten Hag faced off in seven Manchester derbies. Guardiola’s City prevailed in five of those encounters, including a resounding 6-3 win in their first meeting, though United claimed victory in the FA Cup final in May. Despite that high point, Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford ultimately unraveled, with INEOS deciding to part ways after United’s poor start to the season.
Ahead of City’s Carabao Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola was asked if Ten Hag would be welcome at City’s training ground. “Any time!” he replied enthusiastically. “Many people come, and we’re always open. I think he knows exactly what we do, so it might not happen, but I know his agent, so the relationship is there. There’s no problem from my side.”
The two coaches share a unique history, with Ten Hag once managing Bayern Munich’s second team while Guardiola led the senior squad. Known as “Mini Pep” during his Bayern days for his tactical similarities to Guardiola, Ten Hag also shares an agent with Guardiola—Kees Vos, founder of Sports Entertainment Group (SEG).
Reflecting on Ten Hag’s departure, Guardiola expressed empathy: “I’m so sorry for him. I have a great relationship with him. He represented United with such professionalism.”
Guardiola pointed out the unique challenges of being a football manager. “It’s one of the few professions where people expect you to be sacked. You don’t see this with architects, doctors, or teachers. It’s just in our job, and we have to accept it.”
Expressing confidence in Ten Hag’s resilience, he added, “I wish him all the best. He’ll come back stronger. We all know our jobs rely on results. If they’re not good enough, we’re out. That applies to me, too—I’m not an exception.”
Pep Guardiola extended a warm invitation for Erik ten Hag to visit Manchester City’s training ground, expressing both respect and empathy for the Dutch coach following his recent dismissal from Manchester United. Despite being rivals in the Manchester derby for two seasons, the two managers have a long-standing connection dating back to their time at Bayern Munich, where Ten Hag managed the second team while Guardiola led the first.
Reflecting on the demands of football management, Guardiola acknowledged the relentless pressure for results and the frequency with which managers face job instability. “It’s one of the few professions where people expect you to be sacked,” he noted, drawing attention to the distinct challenges in football compared to other fields.
While Manchester United parted ways with Ten Hag after a difficult season start, Guardiola conveyed confidence in his colleague’s ability to bounce back. Describing Ten Hag as a “professional” and wishing him well, he remarked that the Dutchman would “come back stronger,” underscoring the resilience often required in football management.
