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Ten Hag: Current generation of players can’t handle criticism

Former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said current generation of professional footballers find criticism offensive.

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Ten Hag says current generation can’t handle criticism

Ten Hag had several high-profile clashes with first-team players during his time at Old Trafford.

He previously clashed with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford.

The Dutch coach said that modern footballers are easily offended by criticism.

“This generation usually find it difficult to deal with criticism,” Ten Hag told SEG Stories, the media arm of his management agency. “Criticism really gets to them.”

“The generation that I grew up in had much thicker skin. You could be much more direct.”

“I was approached much more directly. If I would do that with my current group of players I would demotivate them.”

“If you do that to the current generation they find it offensive.”

What happened during Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford?

Ten Hag’s first season at the helm saw United finish third and qualify for the UEFA Champions League, as well as winning the Carabao Cup.

However, he first had a falling out with Ronaldo midway through that season.

The Portuguese star’s contract was terminated after he gave an interview to Piers Morgan in which he said he did not respect Ten Hag.

The second full season in charge was significantly less successful, as United finished eighth — their lowest-ever position in the Premier League — with a record 14 defeats.

In the same season, Sancho was exiled from the first-team squad after accusing Ten Hag of making him a “scapegoat” following criticism of his training performances.

Additionally, Ten Hag disciplined Marcus Rashford last year for missing training following his night out in Belfast.

United defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May, earning Ten Hag a two-year contract extension.

However, he was sacked in October after winning just four of the team’s first 13 league games.

Still, Ten Hag remains grateful to United fans for their support.

“What makes the Manchester United fans so special is that they stand by the team even in the face of setbacks,” he said.

“I was appreciated and I always felt that when I walked the streets of Manchester.”