Micah Richards has slammed Erik ten Hag for criticising England manager Gareth Southgate’s tactics.
- England beat Serbia in Euro 2024 opener
- Ten Hag unimpressed by Southgate approach
- Dutchman criticised by former defender
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Three Lions boss came under fire from United’s head coach after he criticised Southgate’s approach to the 1-0 victory over Serbia. While on punditry duties with Dutch broadcasters NOS, the recent FA Cup winner said: “England were playing very passive. I actually saw them moving backwards, they kept Serbia coming at them. It’s the vision of the manager [Southgate]. England will take a 1-0 lead, then he [Southgate] decides to start gambling with making his team compact and relying on moments for the remaining minutes of the game.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ex-pro turned pundit Richards was not happy with the public criticism from Ten Hag, especially since the Dutchman has been under fire himself this year. Winning the FA Cup saved the former Ajax boss from getting the boot at United following a dismal Premier League and retired full-back Richards reminded Ten Hag that he has not been perfect in the last 12 months.
WHAT RICHARDS SAID
On The Rest is Football podcast, Richards said: “Glass houses, to start with.We basically had this conversation in the FA Cup final and now he’s being a pundit talking about how managers are playing in a negative fashion. When we talk about Man United and they’ve not had a good season because of where they’ve finished in the league, he bites at us! It’s ridiculous! We’ve backed him so many times, saying the way he’s been treated has not been great and now he’s talking about other managers, it’s a lack of respect. It’s a lack of respect.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR TEN HAG AND SOUTHGATE?
Ten Hag will continue to sit and observe during Euro 2024 and he will certainly be watching the Netherlands’ progress very closely. As for Southgate, he will be busy preparing for England’s second group stage game against Denmark on Thursday.
