Erik ten Hag must have come out worse in his second campaign with Manchester United but a shocking statistic has shown the Dutch tactician remains at par with elite-level and high-performing managers in English football.
According to ESPN, Erik ten Hag has decked Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on win rate in their first 50 games in English football.
The stat shows Pep Guardiola won 29 of his first 50 games in English football as Manchester City manager.
The next most successful manager in the English top-flight Jurgen Klopp won 23 of his first 50 matches.
Now, Erik ten Hag has leapfrogged the two managerial geniuses, recording a sky-high 35 wins in his first 50 matches in English football.
The stat has apparently lifted the lid on the class of the Dutch tactician and his prospects amidst what has been a largely dismal 2023-24 campaign with Manchester United.
There have been calls for the Dutchman to be shown the exit door this summer after United’s unsuccessful Premier League campaign but a re-examination of critical benchmarks like this could change the performance narrative.
English football, particularly the Premier League, is regarded as one of the most intense and competitive leagues in the world.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are regarded as among the best in the world but they appeared to have struggled in their first 50 games. And it could not be different for Erik ten Hag.
While this piece remain indifferent to United’s possible decision on Erik ten Hag’s future, it is pertinent to state the Dutchman hasn’t fallen badly in the pecking order.
Overall, it hasn’t been a disastrous two-year run by Erik ten Hag in the United dugout. Three finals and two trophies is a no-mean feat in English football.
It is more likely the Dutch could ace his game and return United to an elite-level team if he is cut some slacks and given a chance.
