'Even harder for me' - Arne Slot calls Erik ten Hag's sacking at Man Utd a 'pity' as Liverpool boss backs fellow Dutchman to land another job 'at a big club'

Despite managing Manchester United's fiercest rivals Liverpool, Slot expressed his solidarity with fellow Dutchman Ten Hag after the Red Devils parted ways with him due to a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign. United slumped to the 14th position on the Premier League table after suffering their fourth defeat of the season against West Ham on Sunday.

Slot heaped praise on the former Ajax boss as he pointed out that the 54-year-old did win trophies during his stint at Old Trafford. Ten Hag ended United's six-year trophy drought by bagging the League Cup in 2023 before beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final this summer to land his second title.

At a press conference, Slot told reporters: "He's a Dutch manager so it makes it even harder for me, for us as Dutch people. Always your first thoughts are with the person. We are all in this job so we know that it can happen but if it happens - especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it - to get this news for him is a pity. We also know, especially us from Holland how well he did at Ajax and he won two trophies over here so we will see him in the near future again at a big club."

With Ten Hag out of the picture now, the Premier League giants are looking to appoint a new permanent coach and have been linked with a move for Ruben Amorim. In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy will serve as the club's interim boss.