Feel very sorry for Erik ten Hag: Guardiola reacts to Manchester United sacking

Manchester United's decision to sack Erik ten Hag has drawn reactions from top managers like Pep Guardiola, Arne Slot, and Mikel Arteta. Despite his achievements, recent poor performances led to his dismissal.

In Short

• Ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United after poor results on October 28
• Guardiola said that he felt very sorry for Ten Hag
• Slot said that he expects Ten Hag to be back at a big club

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola sympathised with Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked by Manchester United after a string of poor performances. Ten Hag was let go by United after their recent loss to West Ham on October 28, Monday as the Red Devils languish in the 14th spot on the Premier League points table.

Ten Hag had overseen an FA Cup and League Cup win during his time at United, but the recent results proved to be decisive in the board's decision. Speaking to the reporters, as quoted by Reuters, Guardiola said that he felt sorry for Ten Hag but admitted that if results aren't good, a manager is set to get the sack.

"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."

What Slot and Arteta said about Ten Hag's sacking

Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed that, as a fellow Dutchman, Erik ten Hag’s departure felt especially impactful, but he’s confident the former United coach will find new opportunities.

"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.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta praised Ten Hag, describing him as an exceptional coach who had made a strong contribution during his time at United.

"It’s always sad to see one of our colleagues lose his job. I think, he had done a really good job, he’d won titles there, he had changed a lot of things," the Spaniard told reporters on Tuesday.

"He is a phenomenal coach and it is difficult. Unfortunately when these things happen, the exposure we have as managers, we are always in the line. Especially when you look at the (West Ham United) game, how they lost it, it was incredible.

"But they made the decision (to sack him) and I wish him all the best for his new chapter."

United are already on the move and have expressed interest in getting Sporting manager Ruben Amorim.