Erik ten Hag told his wife 'must be on the verge of divorcing him' by ex-Man Utd coach
Former Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has provided an insight into Erik ten Hag's work ethic and claims the Dutchman will be working overtime to improve results
by Dan Marsh · The MirrorBenni McCarthy has waxed lyrical over Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's relentless work ethic, quipping that his wife must be 'on the verge of divorcing him'.
McCarthy, 46, spent two years working at Old Trafford under the Dutchman before leaving in the summer. Ten Hag, meanwhile, has endured a challenging start to his third season at the helm and is under pressure.
United are currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and there was speculation that the club could sack Ten Hag during the international break after key members of the hierarchy met in London.
McCarthy knows Ten Hag better than most after their time working together in Manchester, and the South African has now taken the opportunity to laud his tremendous work ethic.
He has sympathised with the former Ajax chief, who will be leaving no stone unturned and working all hours in a bid to turn United's form around ahead of a flurry of important fixtures both in the Premier League and Europe.
Speaking to SuperSport, McCarthy said: “I can imagine how frustrating it is for Erik because he's probably one of the hardest-working managers I've come across. His attention to detail, that man goes to sleep at 3am, 4am in the morning. The analysts get it at all angles, even if he thinks of something at 2am.
“I'm sure his wife must be on the verge of divorcing him because that's his life. It's non-stop. He works tirelessly and when you put that much work in, you expect things to go well, but that's why I'm saying there's something [that's not right].”
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McCarthy's latest comments on Ten Hag, who almost lost his job in the summer after United courted other coaches, are a far cry from ones he made earlier this month, where he accused the United boss of lacking the "passion and fire" top players want to see in a coach.
He told Portuguese outlet ZeroZero: “In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach. They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them.
“Tactically, I feel that Erik is at the top. He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I.”
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