Erik ten Hag has blamed Manchester United's former 'Real Madrid connection' for contributing to a toxic culture in the squad, saying players became too powerful and wanted to make decisions themselves.
The Dutchman, now technical director at Twente, was sacked two years ago after a two-and-a-half-year spell in which he won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup. In an interview with The Athletic, he discussed the difficulties of managing big personalities, including Cristiano Ronaldo, and persistent rumours about his own future towards the end of his reign.
Fallout with Ronaldo
Ten Hag fell out with Ronaldo, revealing he "confronted" the Portuguese icon over his work-rate before his acrimonious departure following Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan. Ten Hag said he felt "let down" by the forward.
"He let the team down, and he let me down, because we planned with him," Ten Hag said. "I flew out to Portugal to speak with him about what I was aiming for before I came to United. Obviously, he's one of the best in football history. I respected him a lot. But at that time, as a manager, I had to make a rational decision and keep the players I admire in."
Casemiro and Varane criticised
Ten Hag also brought up two other players who previously enjoyed great success at Real Madrid, Casemiro and Raphael Varane, who he felt weren't the right fit for the club at the time. He inherited Ronaldo and Varane, while Casemiro arrived two months before his dismissal and ended his United career as a key player at the end of last season.
When asked to comment on Lisandro Martinez's recent tirade against the club, specifically director of football Jason Wilcox, Ten Hag said: "I can say I think that's what the Madrid connection brought in, that players are powerful and they want to decide.
"In my opinion, it didn't suit the phase United was in. The leadership wanted attacking, dynamic football and these players wanted to play what fitted themselves."
Disciplinary backing questioned
Ten Hag felt the club failed to back him on disciplinary matters involving players such as Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. He said: "And so, they are continuing the toxic culture, they fuel it, they give the power to the players.
"Rashford is an amazing player, if his mindset is right. I always showed my trust in him, played him. But when you show these standards, sometimes you have to make corrections."
