Erik ten Hag had the sympathy of managers around the Premier League a day after the Dutchman was sacked by struggling Manchester United, with most saying they could face the same fate any day in the results-driven business.

United have appointed their assistant manager and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to take over on an interim basis with the club languishing 14th in the Premier League standings after nine games and 21st in the Europa League table.

“I feel very sorry for him, it’s one of the best jobs in football,” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said. “There’s only us, it’s not teachers or architects or something like that.

“I wish him all the best and he will come back stronger. If the results aren’t good enough, you get sacked. No one is different, myself included.”

Liverpool boss Arne Slot said as a fellow Dutchman, Ten Hag’s dismissal hit harder but believes the unemployed coach will land on his feet.

“Always your first thoughts are with the person,” Slot said on Tuesday. “We are all in this job so we know that it can happen, but if it happens – especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it – to get this news for him is a pity.

“We also know, especially us from Holland how well he did at Ajax (Amsterdam) and he won two trophies over here so we will see him in the near future again at a big club,” Slot added.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said he was not shocked by the news.

“I guess disappointed as it was inevitable with the scrutiny he’d had. It’s the nature of football these days,” Postecoglou said.

The Spurs boss said the intense scrutiny has made it increasingly difficult to do the job in “any sort of processed way.

“It seems like if you look at Erik, (he was) there for two-and-a-bit years and in those two years (he won) trophies – one in each year. If he was here with that record, would he have lost his job? I don’t know. Everyone tells me all I have to do is win a trophy.

“As a manager, you’ve got to hit a sweet spot of success, playing football everyone likes and getting every signing right.”

United host Leicester City in a League Cup fourth-round tie on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

-Reuters

Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag in what the club said on Monday was a unanimous decision, with the team languishing 14th in the Premier League table after nine games and showing no sign they are on a path back to former glory.

United assistant manager and ex-striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over on an interim basis at Old Trafford while they search for a new manager, the club said in a statement.

Van Nistelrooy tops the list of favourites to permanently replace Ten Hag, which also includes former Barcelona boss Xavi, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna.

Appointed in April 2022, Ten Hag led United to two domestic trophies – the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

But the 54-year-old’s job was the subject of speculation most of last season as United suffered a worst-ever eighth place Premier League finish and exited the Champions League at the group stage and the Dutchman was again in the hot seat

“I don’t think anyone will be truly shocked,” former United defender turned pundit Gary Neville told Sky Sports, with United having had eight managers since Alex Ferguson retired.

Their terrible start to this season has come despite more than 600 million pounds ($779.28 million) being spent on new players since Ten Hag took charge ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

United have won four of their 14 games in all competitions so far this term and endured damaging 3-0 losses against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

They have achieved 11 points from nine matches in the Premier League, which the club said was far off target to achieve their goal of a fourth-place finish.

“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” United said in a statement.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

United next host Leicester City in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday and Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

NO MOMENTUM

With British billionaire and INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe taking over football operations last season, the club stuck with Ten Hag to have continuity at a time of change but United did not see any momentum to believe they were on the right path.

The poor start to this season has also seen United draw their first three Europa League games from winning positions, most recently being held 1-1 at a Fenerbahce side managed by former United boss Jose Mourinho on Thursday.

Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League loss at lowly West Ham United in which Ten Hag’s side failed to capitalise on numerous chances only increased the media speculation that he would be sacked.

United finished last term with a surprise FA Cup final win over Manchester City and Ten Hag has pointed to the team’s numerous injuries to help explain their poor form.

He signed a new contract to extend his stay until 2026 and get another chance to restore the 20-times English league champions to former glories but it was not to be.

United captain Bruno Fernandes posted on Instagram: “Thanks for everything boss! I appreciate the trust and the moments we share together, I wish you all the best in the future.

“Even knowing the last period hasn’t been great from all of us I hope you fans can keep with you the good things the manager has done for our club!”

Van Nistelrooy returned to become an assistant to Ten Hag as part of the club’s coaching reshuffle in the close season.

The 48-year-old former United striker was a fans’ favourite as player, scoring 150 goals in 219 games in all competitions. The Dutchman had been out of work since resigning as PSV Eindhoven boss just before the end of the 2022-23 season.

He has also twice been Netherlands assistant manager.

-Reuters

Mohamed Salah’s late equaliser earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw with rivals Arsenal in an entertaining Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, as Gabriel Magalhaes limped off to add to the Gunners’ injury woes.

Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the ninth minute when he ran on to Ben White’s ball over the top, cut inside Andy Robertson and fired past Caoimhin Kelleher at his near post for a 50th Premier League goal on his return from injury.

Virgil van Dijk, perhaps fortunate to avoid a card for a petulant kick at Kai Havertz in the opening exchanges, equalised nine minutes later, nodding home a Luis Diaz flick-on from a corner.

Arsenal responded positively and spurned several half-chances, with Saka hitting a shot over the bar and Havertz unable to control Gabriel Martinelli’s dangerous ball across the face of goal.

The home fans wanted a penalty just after the half-hour mark when Ibrahima Konate floored Martinelli with a clumsy challenge, but referee Anthony Taylor deemed he got enough of the ball, with Havertz slicing a volley over the top in the aftermath.

Mikel Merino scored his first Arsenal goal just before half-time, meeting Declan Rice’s free-kick with a bullet header that was upheld after a lengthy VAR review for offside.

Liverpool improved after the break and Diaz went close five minutes after the restart following a mazy run along the touchline.

Gabriel limped off early in the second half, replaced by Jakub Kiwior, as Arsenal sustained another injury to a key player.

The hosts had to withstand considerable periods of pressure, though they threatened on the counter as Liverpool left gaps at the back.

Salah levelled the game in the 81st minute with a calm tap-in from Darwin Nunez’s selfless cross, bringing the Egyptian winger level with Robbie Fowler on 163 career Premier League goals.

The momentum seemed to be with Liverpool to clinch a comeback victory but Arsenal had the ball in the net at the death through Havertz, though referee Anthony Taylor had already blown for a foul

The draw puts Liverpool second with 22 points from nine games, one point behind Manchester City, and Arsenal move into third with 18 points.

-Reuters