England narrowly won 1-0, and Ten Hag taunted Southgate, suggesting that he was the chosen choice of Manchester United
Manchester United's boss battle: From controversy to decisive moments
In the opening game of the European Championship, England won the opening game by narrowly beating Serbia 1-0 thanks to Bellingham's goal. However, this did not lead to a one-sided cheer from England fans, who were disappointed by manager Gareth Southgate's conservative tactics. However, the frustration did not come from the fans themselves, but from the sharp comments of Manchester United manager Ten Hag.
Ten Hag was unceremoniously criticised Southgate's tactical set-up on television, accusing him of choosing to shrink conservatively after taking the lead and abandoning pressing in midfield, ultimately leading to the loss of possession of the ball. Regarding this statement, industry insiders believe that Ten Hag's intention is not to simply comment on the game, but to accumulate momentum for his position as coach of Manchester United.
In fact, this is not the first time Ten Hag has publicly expressed concerns about his future at Manchester United. He has previously expressed his desire to the media to get another chance at the club, blaming the poor results of the past two seasons on frequent injuries and the presence of players in the squad who are not suitable to stay at United.
At the same time, British media have also reported that Manchester United chairman Ratcliffe has a soft spot for Southgate, believing that his years of coaching experience in the England team can be replicated at Manchester United, so he intends to continue his coaching. This has undoubtedly put pressure on Ten Hag, who desperately needs to speak up for his position at Manchester United.
However, a closer look at the game shows that Southgate's conservative tactical arrangement is not without reason. As a team that is slightly lacking in their own strength, England will have to pay more attention to defensive solidity against Eastern European powerhouses Serbia in order to ensure that the advantage is not easily broken. In contrast, Ten Hag's Manchester United have significantly stronger players and are therefore fully capable of dominating the tempo in attack.
It can be said that the difference between the two coaches in terms of tactical arrangement reflects the difference in their respective coaching philosophies and team strength. Gareth Southgate is more focused on playing steadily, while Ten Hag is more aggressive. This also reflects the differences between the two on the coaching philosophy:
One pays more attention to defense and control in order to play steadily;
An attacking football that is more aggressive and dominant, pursuing excitement and fast-paced.
This difference also brought about a disagreement between the two in charge of Manchester United.
First of all, Manchester United is a team with stronger players and a more abundant squad than the national team England. Therefore, Southgate's conservative approach to the national team is understandable, but it is too conservative for Manchester United.
Manchester United fans have always aspired to the kind of unstoppable and aggressive football, where they want the team to dominate the tempo of the game, take the initiative, press high and create plenty of chances in attack. And Southgate's conservative arrangement may not be able to meet this desire of fans.
In addition, Manchester United's performance in recent years has not been satisfactory. While Ten Hag had some problems in his early days in charge, he seemed to be more able to unleash the team's attacking potential and show more dominance in attack. This has also made many fans more inclined to support Ten Hag as the new manager of Manchester United.
At the same time, however, Ten Hag has had a number of problems during his time in charge, particularly in terms of managing players and bringing in reinforcements. He spent a lot of money to bring in a lot of new signings, but he didn't really integrate the team's tactics and didn't show his unique coaching style. Such a performance also shook Ratcliffe's determination to return to coaching.
All things considered, it seems that there is neither a clear and optimal candidate for the position of Manchester United manager, nor a person who can be completely reassured. Southgate's extensive experience in the national team and his unique approach to defending could bring some stability to United. While Ten Hag has been impressive in attack, his ability to manage players and bring in reinforcements has also been questioned.
As a result, Ratcliffe is not faced with a black-and-white choice, but rather a trade-off between two different coaching philosophies and styles. This will require him to carefully assess the strengths and weaknesses of the two men, and weigh which one is better suited to lead United back to the top.
For the fans, they are more interested in the tactical outlook and competitiveness of Manchester United in the future. After all, after a slump in the past few years, they desperately need a manager who can rebuild their squad and lead them back to the top.
At this critical juncture in history, it is clear that Manchester United chairman Ratcliffe is under tremendous pressure. He needs to make the right choice as soon as possible, not only to take into account the expectations of the fans, but also to make the final decision based on his in-depth knowledge of the two managers.
Regardless of the final outcome, this battle for the manager will undoubtedly be the most eye-catching focus of the new season for Manchester United, and indeed for years to come. Fans are also looking forward to seeing what a new era holds for Manchester United.
Manchester United's boss battle: From controversy to decisive moments
As time ticked by, the performance of the England national team became a key factor in determining the next manager of Manchester United. Southgate's ability to lead his side to a successful run at the upcoming European Championships will have a direct impact on Ratcliffe's selection.
If Southgate once again leads LinkedIn Gran to an exciting record, even if he is conservative in the group stage, Ratcliffe is likely to choose to extend his coaching career with the national team and let him breathe new life into Manchester United. After all, Southgate undoubtedly has a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing with top stars.
But if England are still unable to show what they should be at the European Championships and fall into a tactical stalemate again, then Ten Hag will have a new lease of life. As a coach with a passion for attacking football, he had the opportunity to convince Ratcliffe to return to the helm of Manchester United and bring about a spectacular transformation of the team.
This will undoubtedly excite Manchester United fans. They aspire to that exciting, aggressive football, and Ten Hag's attacking approach will echo that. Although he has had some problems with managing players and recruiting players, as long as he can truly integrate the team, he will be sure to bring about the much-anticipated changes for Manchester United.
Of course, whether Ten Hag can convince Ratcliffe will not happen overnight. As a seasoned manager, he must be able to demonstrate to the club's hierarchy his unique vision of strategic planning and talent development, and convince them that he is the best person to lead United into a revival.
Regardless of the final outcome, this battle for the manager will be the highlight of the new season and years to come. Manchester United fans will be watching closely how both managers perform in their respective roles and will be looking forward to seeing their ideal manager finally emerge and rebuild the team's glory.