Midfielder who played under Ten Hag AND Slot reveals who's the better manager
With Arne Slot now set to take over as the new Liverpool manager, comparisons are inevitably being made between the Dutchman and his compatriots who have headed to the Premier League in the past.
With Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag increasingly under pressure, some have made some unfavourable comparisons between the pair’s CVs prior to their big moves, including ex-Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys.
He said he feared Slot could be “Ten Hag in disguise”.
However, one man who is uniquely qualified to compare both managers is midfielder Mark Diemers, currently plying his trade at AEK Larnaca.
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Diemers, who experienced stints under both managers, shared his perspective during an interview with ESPN Netherlands.
When pressed about his preference, the midfielder, who spent two years at Feyenoord, said unequivocally: “I choose Arne Slot.”
‘I choose Arne Slot’
Reflecting on his time under Ten Hag’s tutelage when he was at Utrecht, Diemers acknowledged the manager’s tactical acumen but noted a deficiency in interpersonal dynamics.
“I found Ten Hag insanely good tactically, and so were his training sessions.
“I just didn’t think he was very good, at that time, on a human level,” Diemers said.
After delivering the damning verdict, Diemers then backtracked somewhat.
“Look at what kind of clubs [Ten Hag] has worked at, so he must also have qualities on a human level. I still have contact with him via WhatsApp. Then he also comes across as very friendly to me.
“He will undoubtedly have grown on a human level as well.”
Contrasting fortunes
Slot’s imminent move to Liverpool signals a bold shift for the Merseyside club. He looks almost certain to be the man to replace Jurgen Klopp after five years at the club, with a £9.4-million compensation package believed to have been agreed between Liverpool and Feyenoord.
This will mark the 45-year-old’s first foray into English football. While Slot boasts recent achievements, including guiding Feyenoord to an Eredivisie championship last year and a KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) win earlier this month, his managerial resume remains brief having only begun his coaching career in 2019 with AZ Alkmaar.
In contrast, Ten Hag is currently navigating the conclusion of a disappointing second season in English football.
Ten Hag’s tenure at United has seen a mixture of successes and challenges, with recent developments in the boardroom adding a layer of uncertainty to his future.
Despite securing a Carabao Cup victory and a commendable third-place finish in the Premier League in his debut season, Ten Hag faces mounting pressure following a less-than-stellar campaign.
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