Manchester United’s last-gasp win over Burnley before the international break eased the pressure on Ruben Amorim.
Following United’s humiliating defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup, there were calls from the media and fans to get rid of the Portuguese tactician.
His record of a mere eight wins in the Premier League has shown the size of the task he has undertaken. His predecessor Erik ten Hag was sacked for less.
After a brilliant debut season in which the Red Devils clinched the Carabao Cup, made it to the FA Cup final, and qualified for the Champions League, the Dutchman was expected to carry on and take the club back to its former glory.
What led to EtH sacking at United
However, a strange tactical shift from his second season onwards saw the team struggle and eventually he lost his job nine games into last season.
After being without a job for more than six months, Bayer Leverkusen, who lost Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, decided to take the punt on the ex-Ajax boss.
The German side were hoping Ten Hag would use his managerial ability to steady the ship after a turbulent summer which saw the Bundesliga side lose plenty of their superstars.
However, it proved to be anything but, with Ten Hag overseeing a poor start to the season with Leverkusen losing twice while capitulating in their previous game despite being two goals up and with a man advantage.
Even in pre-season, the team had struggled, losing 5-1 to Flamengo’s U20 team. And the Leverkusen board opted to cut ties, prompting an angry reaction from the Dutch boss.
Poor results at Leverkusen
He claimed that there “never was a relationship based on mutual trust” with the Bayer Leverkusen bosses. But as revealed by KSTA, the club was not impressed with Ten Hag’s handling of things.
“Those in charge were already disappointed in the successor to championship-winning coach Xabi Alonso at the training camp in Brazil, just a few weeks after taking up the position.
“The quality of the training sessions and the lack of emotion in team building were met with great surprise. Whether on the pitch, in internal meetings, or in public relations – everywhere, ten Hag left the other Leverkusen employees shaking their heads.
“The impression of doubt didn’t improve in the following weeks; on the contrary, it only intensified. Ten Hag is described as resistant to advice, repeatedly attempting to interfere in squad planning despite prior agreements, and increasingly suggesting players from “his” agency, SEG.
Same circumstances at both United, Leverkusen
“The former coach of Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United is also said to have failed to connect with the team and to have coached without emotion. Shortly before the match against Hoffenheim, the coach didn’t address the team at all and even expressed surprise afterward that the dressing room was so quiet. Some players couldn’t believe it.”
United fans have heard these complaints before. His proclivity towards player deals from SEG agency was a major problem during his time at Old Trafford, while players often complained about his training methods.
And from his second season onwards, his determination to carry on playing chaos ball eventually led to his sacking. Leverkusen should have ideally offered him more time, but these complaints show that Erik ten Hag hardly mended his ways.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
