Topics: Arne Slot, Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Liverpool
Erik ten Hag has aimed a surprised dig at compatriot Arne Slot as he prepares to take the Liverpool job.
Slot will officially replace Jurgen Klopp on June 1 pending a successful work permit being secured.
He will become the tenth Dutch manager in the Premier League, joining the likes of Ten Hag, Louis van Gaal, Guus Hiddink, Ruud Gullit, and Ronald Koeman.
Slot arrives at Liverpool after winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup across his three-year stint at Feyenoord.
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However, Ten Hag doesn't appear to have been too impressed by the job he has done with the Rotterdam outfit.
He pointed out that they were beaten to the league title in 2023/24 by Peter Bosz's PSV Eindhoven and were "so much better" in many departments, suggesting Slot may be a little overhyped.
“People have been going overly lyrical about Feyenoord,” Ten Hag said, as per The Mirror.
“Feyenoord were steady this year, but not top. PSV Eindhoven were two classes better in all areas. In terms of dominating the ball, in terms of putting pressure, in terms of intensity, you name it.
"Bosz and his staff did that top notch, but the rest of the club is also well put together. PSV Eindhoven were better than the rest by such a long distance, even so much better than Feyenoord.”
It's not the first time Ten Hag has commented on Slot's arrival. He previously went on record to say that the former AZ boss is a good fit for Liverpool but stressed that he walks into an easier job than he did at United in 2022.
"This is great for the Dutch trainers’ guild, and Arne Slot also fits Liverpool with his philosophy,” Ten Hag told vi.nl.
“Jurgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders have left a strong foundation.
“He ends up in better waters than I did when I went to Manchester United from the Netherlands, in terms of structure in the club, in terms of balance in the squad.”
Despite a surprise FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, Ten Hag's future is still uncertain following a disappointing domestic campaign and United's top brass are conducting a review.
