Erik ten Hag assistant names FOUR Man Utd stars in brutal transfer slapdown
Erik ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United at the end of October after a mixed reign as manager, with his former assistant now speaking out against the decision to let him go
Erik ten Hag's former assistant at Manchester United has slapped down the suggestion that the Dutchman had a major hand in the club's failed transfer dealings.
Rene Hake joined United in the summer alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy as one of Ten Hag's trusted advisors. But Ten Hag was sacked at the end of October following a defeat at West Ham, with Ruben Amorim replacing him.
Hake and Van Nistelrooy were both let go when Amorim arrived as the new boss made a clean sweep of the former manager's backroom staff. One of the main criticisms levelled at Ten Hag was United's dreadful record in the transfer window under his management.
He spent more than £616million during his time in charge, with little return on that investment. Ten Hag had a tendancy to bring in former Ajax players, with the Dutchman having previously managed the Eredivisie giants.
READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes 'taken aback' as Sir Jim Ratcliffe rejects Man Utd offerREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim makes Man Utd's Marcus Rashford stance perfectly clear - 'I know what I'm doing'But Hake has now pushed back on those accusations, insisting Ten Hag was not driving transfer policy. And he also insisted the decision to sack the Dutchman was a premature one.
“Erik’s dismissal and my departure from Manchester have been crazy. Over those four months at United I can fill four VI Christmas specials. The fact is that we have not won enough. It’s just very sad," Hake told Voetbal International. "I also honestly think that if we had been given more time, we would have succeeded. Becoming champion has never been the goal, reaching the Champions League is. It is often said and written that Erik spent that money and that he brought in all those players.
"But that doesn’t make sense. Manchester United has a scouting force of 40 people or so. Erik did not deal with transfers on his own and you now also see that Martínez, De Ligt, Onana and Mazraoui are just regular players. They are just good football players, that has nothing to do with an Ajax past.”
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Ten Hag himself has only made one statement on his sacking by United, declining to discuss the reasons for his exit. He said: "Dear fans, let me start by thanking you. Thank you for always being there for the club. Whether it was at a game far away or a tough match at Old Trafford, your support has been unshakeable.
"The atmosphere at Old Trafford has always been electrifying, thanks to you. I felt it many times. Also in away games, it gave the team and me an incredible feeling to hear the United chants taking over the opponents' stadiums, whether the game was in England. Europe or during the summer tours.
"I always enjoyed meeting Manchester United fans throughout the world. Walking the streets and being able to chat with fans in England, Europe, Asia, Australia, the USA - you inspired me and radiated a strong sense of unity. That's what makes United supporters so special.
"I want to thank you for giving me this feeling and for your support. I also want to thank the staff in every department of the club for their unwavering support in good times and bad. We won two trophies - achievements that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Of course, my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet. Unfortunately, that dream has come to an end.
"I wish all Manchester United fans nothing but success, trophies and glory. Your support and the warmth I received from everyone at the club helped me feel at home. Thank you for this chapter in my life. Erik."
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