Liverpool manager Arne Slot has backed his Dutch compatriot Erik ten Hag to find himself at the helm of a “big club” again after he was sacked by Manchester United on Monday, Afrosport reports.
United decided to part ways with Ten Hag after a poor start to the season sees them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League standings and 21st in the Europa League.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday, which eventually was the final nail in the coffin for the former Ajax manager as his termination was confirmed less than 24 hours later.
Slot, who joined Liverpool from Feyenoord last summer, has leapt in support of his former rival as he acknowledged his big managerial status.
“He’s a Dutch manager which makes it even harder for me,” said Slot. “Thoughts are with him. We are all in this job so we know it can happen.
Ten Hag was very decent at Ajax, winning six titles after securing a total of 159 wins in 215 games, which placed him on the radar of some big clubs.
The Dutchman managed a total of 128 matches at United, with 70 wins, 23 draws, and 35 losses and a win rate of approximately 55%, the most of any manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at the club.
“I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it,” Slot stated. “For him, it’s, of course, a pity. But we also know how well he did at Ajax and that he won two trophies [the League Cup and FA Cup] over here.
“I think we’ll see him at a big club again”
United are up against Leicester City at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, with former striker and assistant manager and Ruud van Nistelrooy expected to continue as interim coach with the club still weighing their options.
