Schmeichel Criticizes Ten Hag's Post-Sacking Comments
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has strongly criticized Erik ten Hag for recent public remarks made after his sacking.
Peter Schmeichel has sharply criticized former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for "stirring the pot" following his dismissal from the club.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Ten Hag discussed his tenure at United, criticizing Cristiano Ronaldo for "letting the team down" and attributing a "toxic culture" at the club to its hierarchy. He also revealed his attempts to sign Harry Kane and Declan Rice during his time.
Schmeichel, speaking on The Overlap Daily, expressed his frustration with Ten Hag's public statements. "How DARE he go out and say that!" Schmeichel stated, questioning why Ten Hag felt the need to speak out after his unsuccessful period at the club. Schmeichel argued that Ten Hag was not a success at United and that he should reflect on his own performance rather than criticizing the club or its owners.
Ten Hag, who managed United from the end of the 2021-22 season until his sacking in October 2024, was dismissed after a period of poor results left the team 14th in the Premier League. Despite an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, his league performance led to his departure. He later took charge of Bayer Leverkusen, replacing Xabi Alonso, but was sacked after only three games.
Schmeichel also referenced Ten Hag's reported attempts to sign players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice. "Everybody knew we should sign Harry Kane. Everyone knows we should have signed Declan Rice, that's no secret," Schmeichel said, implying these were obvious targets and questioning why they weren't pursued more aggressively.
Amidst Ten Hag's comments, Manchester United's current manager, Michael Carrick, is also facing pressure. The team has gone eight matches without a win across all competitions. Despite this, the club confirmed Carrick will remain in charge for the upcoming match against Chelsea, with the team currently 16th in the Premier League table.
Other former players have also been critical of the team's situation. Gary Neville accused the squad of unprofessionalism following a recent defeat, suggesting some players do not prioritize the club sufficiently. United faces Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Carrick hoping for a turnaround in results.