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Erik ten Hag receives personal invite to visit Manchester City after Manchester United sacking
Sacked Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has received an open indication to visit the City Football Academy for any advice and support from Manchester City.
The Dutchman saw his reign at Old Trafford brought to an end earlier this week after yet another disappointing result in a hugely underwhelming season to date for the red side of Manchester.
Struggles in the Premier League have been coupled with similar issues in the UEFA Europa League, and as such a decision has been made to change their managerial position at this particular juncture – despite handing Ten Hag a new contract in the summer.
Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag are known to have maintained a level of relationship during their times working in Manchester, having first worked alongside one another during their time at Bayern Munich.
And speaking during his latest press conference, Guardiola admitted that the recently-dismissed Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag is welcome to visit Manchester City any time for support or advice.
“Any time! No, seriously,” Guardiola said. “Many people come and always we are open, but I think he knows exactly what we do, and I think it’s not going to happen but of course, I know his agent a little bit, so the relation is there so there’s no problem for me, for us.”
But do many managers ask Guardiola for advice?
“Advice? No. Just take a look,” the 53-year-old responded. “Managers don’t have to ask for advice, they know exactly everyone and what they have to do, because the reality in every club, in every team, and in every player is completely different to the other ones. The advice for copy and paste for other ones, it doesn’t work.”
Erik ten Hag became the first managerial casualty of the ongoing Premier League season, with pressure mounting on a number of other positions across the division. However, Pep Guardiola believes the turn over of coaches is not the surprising matter during his tenure in England.
“It’s surprising how long I’ve been here, not for the other ones being a short time. Nine years today is a lot! That’s true,” Guardiola said.
“Before in England, maybe we were more patient with managers than other countries but now the reality is the pressure is everywhere, the results have to be given and qualify for the Champions League is big for the clubs for many reasons – the sporting aspect, but economically as well.
“What can I say? What I said is if I’m here nine years is because we won many, many times and it’s not putting in perspective of for the way we’re playing or the other ones, no, no. We won, and if we won that’s why I’m the longest one right now. Like who we are, not just me, we are so proud of that.”
For now, it remains to be seen how Erik ten Hag approaches his next steps in management, and whether he decides to take a break from the game before returning into a role elsewhere in the European divisions.
As for Pep Guardiola and his future, Manchester City continue to await a decision from the Catalan coach as he enters into the final months of his existing Etihad Stadium contract, despite the tenuous feeling being that the 53-year-old is leaning towards an extended stay.
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