Manchester United have been told by former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan to replace manager Erik ten Hag with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp if they want to win the Premier League title. The Red Devils appointed the Dutchman ahead of the last campaign after prising him away from Ajax.
Ten Hag enjoyed a decent start to life in Manchester as he led United back to the Champions League at the first time of asking courtesy of a third-place Premier League finish. The 53-year-old even ended his first season with silverware after guiding his team to the Carabao Cup trophy, although United were then defeated by Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The Red Devils’ start to the new campaign has been underwhelming, however, with the team only managing to claim six points from their opening four matches. Last month, Ten Hag’s side were defeated 2-0 by Tottenham after a dismal display. And during a second trip to north London at the weekend, United went down 3-1 to Arsenal.
Ten Hag faces a difficult challenge if he is to help his team compete for the Premier League and Champions League trophies. And Jordan believes Klopp would be in a better position to win silverware with United following his success on Merseyside.
“Is Ten Hag the best in class? I would argue no. I certainly can’t see him ending the club’s title drought,” Jordan wrote in the Daily Mail. “What United really need is someone like Jurgen Klopp, someone capable of embracing it all, shouldering the huge responsibility of managing such a massive club and delivering success.
“Someone who can harness the spirit and energy of the club from previous glories and set standards and outcomes reminiscent of yesteryears. Does that sound like Ten Hag? I don’t think so. Then again, it took four years for Ferguson and Klopp to win their first trophies in England so perhaps Ten Hag will prove me wrong if he is afforded such time to win the biggest prizes.”
Ten Hag hit the headlines at the weekend after dropping Jadon Sancho for the trip to the Emirates Stadium and calling out the winger’s performances in training. And the Dutchman’s comments didn’t sit well with Jordan.
“But we’re four games into the new season and he’s already in deflection mode,” added the 55-year-old. “The best managers, the ones that ultimately achieve things, don’t call players out in public. If they do, it is usually because they are floundering and haven’t got the answers.
“Time will tell if Ten Hag does but if he doesn’t, it’s not because the Glazers own Manchester United. No matter what Mr [Gary] Neville would have you believe.”
