Former Manchester United manager Eric Ten Hag has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo "doesn’t matter" in the context of his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford. Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021, leading to a complex relationship with Ten Hag, which ended with the player leaving the club a year later by mutual agreement.
Ten Hag was let go by United in October of last year following a poor start to the 2024-25 season and has since joined Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. After a recent friendly loss to Chelsea, he told reporters, "He has never been a problem. I believe that’s all in the past." He reflected on his time at United, noting, "We’ve won two trophies, and I wish him all the best for the future."
Despite the tumultuous end to his time with the club, Ten Hag managed to secure two domestic trophies, the 2023 Carabao Cup and a surprising FA Cup victory over rivals Manchester City in 2024. He emphasized his passion for winning trophies, stating, "I want to keep this momentum going."
Looking forward, Ten Hag expressed his excitement about his new role at Leverkusen, mentioning the club’s strengths and his eagerness to build on their success. His first competitive match in charge will be against SG Sonnenhof in the DFB Pokal on August 15, followed by the Bundesliga opener against TSG Hoffenheim a week later.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing evolution of top managers and their impact on clubs. Ten Hag’s achievements at United could serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by even the most celebrated figures, while his new journey at Leverkusen promises to shape the club’s future in a competitive league.
