Erik ten Hag speaks out on friendship with rival bosses and ditching Man United tradition

Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks dejected following the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and FC Twente at Old Trafford on September 25, 2024 in Manchester, England.
-Credit: (Image: Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)


Erik ten Hag admits that he has 'no friends' in the Premier League and doesn't want to be close with other rival bosses.

The Manchester United manager appeared on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel to answer some quick-fire questions on his tenure as a top-flight manager, which is once again under threat after the dismal 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham on Sunday.

When asked if he has any relationship with the other managers in the Premier League, Ten Hag said: "No, colleagues but no, no friends."

The Dutchman also explained why he has been forced to ditch the tradition of sharing a glass of wine with opposite numbers after the match - something Sir Alex Ferguson regularly did during his days at United and was a big advocate of.

READ MORE: United loanee given positive injury update after fears allayed

READ MORE: Wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin completes Manchester United transfer

"Actually, it was always a good tradition, I think in English football to meet each other after the matches, but with all the media now, I think that tradition is going away a little bit and I think it's a pity because I think it was a nice tradition in English football," he said.

"But that is, yeah, that's how football media has progressed."

Ten Hag is currently in his third season with the Red Devils, having won a Carabao Cup and a FA Cup in his first two seasons at the helm.

Try MUFC Pro for FREE for our best Manchester United coverage

Despite this silverware return, the Dutchman is once again under immense pressure with Sunday's 3-0 defeat the tip of the iceberg. Ten Hag has already overseen a dispiriting 3-0 defeat against Liverpool and 1-1 draw with FC Twente in the Europa League this season and finds his side sat in a lowly 12th after six Premier League games.

The United boardroom stood by Ten Hag at the end of the season by triggering a one-year extension in his contract following the club's 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final and backed him in the summer to the tune of £180.

But things have not gone according to plan, and fans showed their frustrations on Sunday by calling for his head midway through the Tottenham thumping.

It doesn't get any easier for Ten Hag as he battles to save his job with an away game at Porto in the Europa League in midweek, before a difficult trip to Aston Villa next Sunday.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.