Eredivisie CEO predicts Arne Slot could become ‘the greatest coach of his era’ but explains why Erik ten Hag won’t
The Premier League’s battle of Dutch coaches is fascinating fans at home and abroad, and one man who knows them very well has now had his say.
Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag was the solo Netherlands representative in English dugouts until this season, when he was joined by countryman Arne Slot at Liverpool.
2
With just three games played during the 2024/25 campaign the pair have already met, in the league at Old Trafford.
Slot’s men recorded a convincing 3-0 win to continue their perfect start making it three from three away at one of their biggest rivals.
The result piled plenty of pressure on his opposite number who had already lost in the previous game against Brighton, and is starting his third campaign as United boss.
That backdrop, and the contrasting form, is seeing Slot be compared favourably to Ten Hag, and one man who knows plenty about their pasts isn’t surprised.
read more on erik ten hag
Speaking at a conference in Lisbon, Eredivisie CEO Jan de Jong didn’t sound to hopeful for the former Ajax manager.
“I think Ten Hag started very well, but as Louis van Gaal said, Manchester United are a very difficult team to lead these days,” he said.
“I think Ten Hag also has that problem, but he is a technical trainer at a very high level.”
De Jong was far more effusive on Slot though, quickly changing the conversation to praise the ex-Feyenoord man.
Most read in Football
“But..” he continued. “Arne Slot is something special.
“He is very intelligent, speaks very good English and he understands the game very, very well.
2
“So I think he will be a sensation. You never know, but he has everything it takes to become one of the greatest coaches of his era.”
Slot joined the Reds with what many considered a near-impossible task, replacing the legendary Jurgen Klopp after nine years of revolution.
However, despite such a small number of games, the pressure is so far subsiding on Slot, with Liverpool the only team in the division yet to concede a goal.
Liverpool fans get excited after spotting new corner tactic under Arne Slot against Arsenal ahead of Premier League season
Ten Hag, meanwhile, is facing serious questions after another summer of heavy backing in the transfer market but little changing on the pitch.
The 54-year-old has an FA Cup and League Cup to his name at Old Trafford, but went through a disruptive summer where United’s new management group reportedly interviewed multiple other candidates for his job.
All eyes will be on Ten Hag when United travel to Southampton at 12.30pm on Saturday, Live on talkSPORT, while Liverpool will hope to continue their winning start at home to Nottingham Forest later in the day.
JOIN THE DUGOUT
Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining ‘The DUGOUT’ – our new listener panel.
We're all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talkSPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it!
Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions.
Just by joining, you'll enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that
To join the ‘The DUGOUT’ panel, please click here.