Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has congratulated his rival team manager Erik Ten Hag for landing the Old Trafford move.
Former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag was announced as Manchester United’s permanent manager this week. He has succeeded Ralf Rangnick, who was named interim manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired in November.
The 52-year-old is ready to take charge of another attempt at a rebuild at Old Trafford, with United presently 23 points behind local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League and aiming for a top-four finish.
Last month, City thrashed United at the Etihad Stadium, with a brace apiece from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez capping off a disappointing 4-1 loss. United have twice lost to City this season.
Guardiola congratulated Ten Hag on his new post in an interview with the press ahead of City’s next league match against Watford on Saturday. He stressed the quality of Ten Hag’s current Ajax side.
As reported by the Mirror, he said:
“Congratulations to Erik, and I wish him all the best. He is a top-class manager and his teams are a joy to watch. Watch his Ajax team and you see his qualities.”
Guardiola and Ten Hag worked together for two years in Munich between 2013 and 2015, but they will now coach direct rivals in City and United. The Manchester derby would certainly be an interesting one to watch now as two world-class managers will throw their tactics on each other.
But it’s too early to predict things, as it will take time for the newly appointed manager to make his team capable of winning against the best clubs.
We hope that Ten Hag brings the competitive atmosphere back to Old Trafford.
