Erik ten Hag was better as manager than Ruben Amorim and he will be sacked by Monday if we don’t win

Erik ten Hag was better as manager than Ruben Amorim and he will be sacked by Monday if we don’t win

 

Erik ten Hag and Rúben Amorim are two highly regarded managers in European football, but Ten Hag’s managerial career, especially before joining Manchester United, demonstrated a level of tactical flexibility, experience, and success that Amorim has yet to match. While Amorim is an exciting, emerging coach with a promising future, Ten Hag’s overall body of work suggests he has been the superior manager thus far. However, his time at Manchester United has been turbulent, and if results do not improve quickly, it is plausible that he could be sacked by Monday.

 

Why Erik ten Hag is a Better Manager Than Rúben Amorim

 

1. Tactical Versatility and Experience at a Higher Level

 

Ten Hag has consistently shown a deep tactical acumen, particularly during his time at Ajax, where he built one of the most exciting teams in Europe. His Ajax side in 2018-19 was a perfect blend of youth and experience, playing an attacking, high-pressing style that dismantled Real Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League. His ability to implement and adapt his philosophy at an elite level surpasses what Amorim has done at Sporting CP.

 

While Amorim has done well in Portugal, his tactical ideas remain largely untested in Europe’s biggest leagues. Sporting’s 2020-21 league title was impressive, but Portuguese football does not provide the same level of competition that Ten Hag faced in the Eredivisie and Champions League. Ten Hag has managed teams at multiple levels, including Bayern Munich II, Utrecht, and Ajax, proving his ability to succeed in different environments. Amorim, by contrast, has only coached in Portugal, and his tactical flexibility is yet to be tested outside that setting.

 

2. Success in the Champions League and Europe

 

Ten Hag’s European record is another reason he stands above Amorim. His Ajax team reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, knocking out giants like Real Madrid and Juventus with a fearless brand of football. Even after losing key players, he managed to keep Ajax competitive in Europe, showing his ability to rebuild and adapt.

 

Amorim, however, has not yet had the same kind of European success. While Sporting CP reached the Champions League knockout stages under his management, they have never been a serious threat to Europe’s elite. Until he proves he can manage at that level, his credentials remain inferior to Ten Hag’s.

 

3. Player Development and Improving Young Talents

 

One of Ten Hag’s biggest strengths is his ability to develop young players and help them reach their potential. At Ajax, he oversaw the rise of talents like Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek, and Antony. His ability to refine and integrate youth players into a system that maximized their strengths was a key part of Ajax’s success.

 

Amorim has also done well in player development, particularly with Pedro Gonçalves and Gonçalo Inácio at Sporting, but he has yet to reach Ten Hag’s level in this regard. Sporting’s academy has long been one of the best in Portugal, but Amorim’s track record of turning young players into world-class stars is still a work in progress.

 

4. Ability to Rebuild and Manage Squad Overhauls

 

Ten Hag has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to rebuild teams after losing key players. At Ajax, he lost his core squad in 2019 but still won domestic trophies and kept the team competitive in Europe. At Manchester United, he inherited a struggling squad and led them to a top-four finish and a Carabao Cup victory in his first season.

 

Amorim has had far less experience managing squad overhauls. Sporting has a stable recruitment model, and while he has done well with the players at his disposal, he has not yet faced the kind of rebuilding challenges Ten Hag has successfully navigated. Managing transitions is a crucial aspect of top-level management, and Ten Hag has proven himself more adept in this area.

 

Why Erik ten Hag Could Be Sacked by Monday

 

Despite Ten Hag’s superior credentials, his time at Manchester United has been far from smooth. If United fail to win their next game, it is entirely possible that he could be sacked by Monday. Several factors contribute to this possibility:

 

1. Poor Results and Inconsistent Performances

 

United’s performances this season have been inconsistent, and they have struggled against top teams. Injuries and tactical issues have plagued them, but the most worrying aspect is their inability to dominate matches. If they fail to win their next game, it would be another setback in a season full of disappointments. Given the pressure on the club, such a result could force the owners to act swiftly.

 

2. Dressing Room Issues and Lack of Player Buy-in

 

There have been reports of tensions between Ten Hag and some of his players. Jadon Sancho’s exile and reports of dissatisfaction among certain squad members have raised concerns about his man-management. If the dressing room loses faith in him, his position will become untenable.

 

3. Ownership Pressure and Fan Discontent

 

Manchester United’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is keen to bring stability and progress to the club. If Ten Hag fails to deliver results, Ratcliffe and his team may decide to make a change sooner rather than later. Fan frustration is also growing, and a failure to win could see calls for his sacking intensify.

 

4. Potential Replacements Available

 

If United decide to sack Ten Hag, they will need a replacement lined up. Amorim is one of the names linked with the job, but there are other candidates like Zinedine Zidane and Thomas Tuchel who could be considered. If the club believes they can secure a top-tier manager quickly, Ten Hag’s departure could happen as soon as Monday.

 

Conclusion

 

While Erik ten Hag has a stronger managerial résumé than Rúben Amorim, his current situation at Manchester United is precarious. He has proven himself to be a superior coach in terms of tactical intelligence, European experience, and player development. However, football is a results-driven business, and if Manchester United fail to win their next game, the pressure may become too much for him to survive.

 

If Ten Hag is sacked, it will not necessarily be a reflection of his overall ability, but rather the reality of managing an elite club under immense scrutiny. Regardless of what happens, his legacy as a top-class manager is secure, while Amorim still has a long way to go to match his achievements.