Ten Hag delivers scathing assessment of Gareth Southgate’s ‘vision’

• England beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening game of Euro 2024 on Sunday night
• The Three Lions started well but found themselves hanging on in the second half
• LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! How Southgate made it enjoyable to play for England again

Erik ten Hag has publicly criticised the tactics of England manager Gareth Southgate following Sunday’s tense 1-0 victory over Serbia.

The Three Lions made a great start in Gelsenkirchen with Jude Bellingham giving them a deserved lead in the 13th minute.

However, Southgate’s team lost control of the match after half-time and were relieved to come away with the three points in the end.

Southgate was touted as a possible replacement for Ten Hag before United decided to keep the Dutchman.

And Ten Hag clearly isn’t all that impressed by his fellow manager.

Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, the Manchester United boss said: ‘In the first half I really enjoyed Jude Bellingham. He took England by the hand and lifted them to a higher level.’

He continued: ‘England were playing very passive. I actually saw them moving backwards, they kept Serbia coming at them.’ 

The former boss added: ‘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.’

Ten Hag also opened up on the past few weeks and how it was decided that he would remain in charge at Old Trafford.

‘Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement for the new contract,’ he said. ‘This isn’t easily done, we are still going to have to talk about this.

‘United have told me that they spoke with [Thomas] Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager.’

‘Manchester United disturbed my holiday, they suddenly stood at my doorstep. They flew to me in Ibiza.’

He added: ‘INOES took their time. They are new in football, it’s normal to reflect the season. It’s no secret that they talked with multiple candidates.

‘Here in Holland this is ‘not done,’ in fact, it’s not even allowed here. But in England they have different rules and laws.

‘As in any organisation, and that seems very sensible to me, there is an evaluation. Conclusions were drawn from there. The new leadership is playing football for the first time.’