Erik ten Hag takes subtle swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo & Jadon Sancho as ex-Man Utd boss laments modern players finding criticism 'offensive' - and hints at new career away from football

Ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United in October 2024 after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford. The Dutchman won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup during his tenure but could not produce a team capable of challenging for the title and left after the club made their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Ten Hag also fell out with several high-profile stars during his time at United. He was accused of "seeking conflict" with both Ronaldo and Sancho, by former defender Raphael Varane, after clashing with both players. Ronaldo departed after a sensational interview where he made it clear he did not respect the Dutchman, while Sancho was frozen out and sent out on loan to Dortmund and then Chelsea. Ten Hag has now had his say and claims modern players struggle to accept criticism.

He told SEG Stories: "This generation usually find it difficult to deal with criticism. Criticism really gets to them. The generation that I grew up in had much thicker skin. You could be much more direct. I was approached much more directly. If I would do that with my current group of players I would demotivate them. If you do that to the current generation they find it offensive."

Ten Hag also opened up on his future and admitted he may not return to football management and could join his family's real estate business instead.

He added: "There are so many other things I could do. Maybe in football, in a new position as a manager. That’s an option. And maybe something completely different. I’ve been working with my brothers lately. We have our own company. Or rather: they have their own company. But we also run a company together with our father. That’s also something I love to do I can now give that more attention and it’s also a lot of fun."