Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is facing intense backlash from the media after his team's shaky performance and narrow victory against Coventry in the FA Cup semifinals. In a heated post-match press conference, Ten Hag refused to answer critical questions and called out the journalists for their 'embarrassing' and 'disgraceful' behavior. With his team's inconsistent form all season, many are calling for his dismissal as tensions between football managers and the media continue to rise.
Erik ten Hag Faces Backlash Amidst Manchester United's Struggles
Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, is facing severe criticism from the media following Manchester United's disappointing display in their FA Cup semi-final match against Coventry City. Despite securing a close victory, the team's inconsistent performances continue to raise questions about Ten Hag's leadership.
Background
Erik ten Hag was appointed as Manchester United's manager in May 2022, replacing interim boss Ralf Rangnick. The Dutchman arrived with a strong track record, having led Ajax to three consecutive Eredivisie titles and the 2019 Champions League semi-finals.
However, Ten Hag's time at Old Trafford has been marked by inconsistency. While the club has enjoyed some impressive victories, including a 2-0 win over derby rivals Manchester City, they have also suffered embarrassing defeats, such as the 7-0 humiliation against Liverpool.
Coventry City Incident
The latest controversy surrounding Ten Hag stems from Manchester United's narrow 1-0 victory over Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals. The match saw United struggle to create clear-cut chances, and Ten Hag's tactics came under fire.
In the post-match press conference, Ten Hag refused to answer critical questions from journalists. He labeled their behavior as "embarrassing" and "disgraceful." His comments drew widespread condemnation, with many viewing them as an attempt to silence legitimate criticism.
Consequences
The incident has further damaged Ten Hag's reputation among the media and fans. Many are now calling for his dismissal, believing that he has lost the dressing room and the trust of the fans.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why is Erik ten Hag facing backlash? He is facing backlash due to Manchester United's inconsistent performances and his defensive response to criticism from the media.
2. What was the incident that caused the backlash? Ten Hag's refusal to answer critical questions and labeling the media's behavior as "embarrassing" and "disgraceful."
3. Is Erik ten Hag likely to be dismissed? It is unclear at this stage, but the increasing pressure and criticism suggest that his position could be in jeopardy.
4. Who would replace Erik ten Hag if he was dismissed? Possible replacements include Mauricio Pochettino, Zinedine Zidane, and Luis Enrique.
5. What does the future hold for Manchester United? The club's future is uncertain, with the ongoing tension between the manager and the media casting a shadow over their prospects.
Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi create history with their unbeaten partnership and become the first pair to remain unbeaten throughout an entire day of play in a Test since 2018. This is also the highest stand for any wicket against Zimbabwe, breaking the record set in 2004. Additionally, it is the third instance of three Zimbabwe batters scoring a century in a Test innings. Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi made history on day 3 of the first Test against Zimbabwe with an unbeaten partnership and a record-breaking performance. Their stand of 361* runs is not only the highest for Afghanistan in Tests, but also the second-highest against Zimbabwe. The day also saw three Zimbabwe batsmen scoring centuries, making it the third instance in their history.
Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez has spoken about the bittersweet moments of his career, reflecting on his time with Leicester City where he went from being a title-winning hero to being blocked from joining Arsenal. In a candid conversation, Mahrez expressed his frustration over the missed opportunity and the challenges of transitioning from a league star to a relegation battler. With two of his former clubs facing off this weekend, the Algerian's journey will be on full display.
Former Australian cricketer and head coach Justin Langer has come to the defense of Indian captain Virat Kohli, claiming that he is still the best batter in the world despite his recent shortcomings. Langer justified his decision by pointing out Kohli's wide array of shots, impeccable leadership qualities, and supreme fitness. This comes after Kohli's dismissal on 36 runs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has attracted scrutiny towards the veteran batter.
As the Hockey India League kicked off in Rourkela, fans were treated to an exciting game between newcomers Delhi SG Pipers and Gonasika. While the match ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time, Delhi emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, with Tomas Domene and Aditya Lalage proving to be the heroes for their team. Despite a strong performance from both sides, Gonasika's missed opportunities in the shootout cost them the victory.
Arsenal's young star Bukayo Saka has suffered a hamstring injury and undergone surgery, after a series of injuries this season. In light of this, the team had a tough battle against Ipswich but came out victorious thanks to a goal by Kai Havertz. Despite the setback, Saka remains optimistic and is determined to come back stronger. However, it is likely that he will be absent for more than two months.
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and former Australian opener Justin Langer pointed out the risky single taken by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli's misjudgment, leading to the former's run-out in the fourth Test match in Melbourne. The run-out had a significant impact on India's performance as they collapsed after Jaiswal's exit. With seasoned off-spinner Nathan Lyon expected to come into play on day three, India will need to put their heads down and build a strong partnership to stay in the game against the dominating Australian side.
During Day 2 of the 4th Test between India and Australia, former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad expressed his disappointment with Rohit Sharma's performance as both a captain and a batsman. Prasad also attributed Rohit's struggle in the series to his lack of form and match practice beforehand. Meanwhile, Steve Smith's century and a 112-run stand with captain Pat Cummins helped Australia maintain a strong lead over India on the second day of the Boxing Day Test match.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar discuss Rishabh Pant's mode of dismissal in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy fourth Test against Australia. Manjrekar points out that the wicketkeeper-batter will be questioned if he continues to get out while attempting unconventional shots. Gavaskar lambasts Pant, labeling his dismissal as 'stupid' and criticizing his shot selection. Despite Pant's early dismissal, India managed to cross the 300-run mark on Day 3 thanks to a seventh-wicket partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Follow Sportskeeda's live updates for the latest news and biddings at the IPL Auction 2025.
India's Nitish Kumar Reddy wowed the world with his extraordinary maiden Test century at the MCG, becoming the third youngest Indian to achieve the feat. After the third day's play, Reddy was welcomed by his emotional family members, including his father who had left his job to support Reddy's cricket journey. The BCCI released a video of the heartwarming reunion, capturing the overwhelming emotions of Reddy's mother, father, and sister. Reddy put up a resilient performance alongside Washington Sundar to rescue India from a precarious position and secure a potential match-saving unbeaten 105.
In a heartwarming gesture, India's Virat Kohli reached out and patted Australia's Steve Smith on the back after the latter scored his 34th Test century during the ongoing Boxing Day Test. This comes just a day after Kohli's heated altercation with Sam Konstas, which resulted in a fine from the International Cricket Council. Kohli's act of sportsmanship serves as an inspiration for all, especially after India suffered a familiar collapse after a crucial run-out on day two.