Guus Hiddink reveals why he believes Erik ten Hag struggled at Man United – as the former Chelsea boss names the one 'surprising' decision his compatriot made

Guus Hiddink has revealed what he views as a critical mistake Erik ten Hag made during his time at Manchester United.

After an impressive four-year spell in his native Netherlands with Ajax that saw the club reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, Ten Hag was appointed United boss in the summer of 2022.

He was tasked with leading a side that had slumped to sixth in the Premier League the previous season, leading to interim boss Ralf Rangnick infamously claiming the club needed ‘open-heart surgery’.

Ten Hag would go on to win silverware in both of his first two seasons at Old Trafford, including defeating rivals Manchester City to capture the FA Cup in May.

However, after a dismal run of results at the start of the current campaign saw United fall to their worst-ever Premier League start, Ten Hag was sacked last month with Ruben Amorim appointed as his successor.

Speaking on his compatriot’s time in England, Hiddink suggested an overreliance on ‘old acquaintances’ may have left Ten Hag isolated.

Hiddink added the Dutchman subsequently failed to integrate with the culture at Old Trafford

Ten Hag was sacked last month after United suffered their worst-ever start to a Premier League season

‘Everyone does it in their own way, but I was surprised at how many confidants Erik gathered around him,’ Hiddink told Dutch outlet Voetbal International.

‘Then you end up on an island, which makes it more difficult to integrate into the culture of your new club and is watched with suspicion.

‘I always took one assistant abroad with me, with whom I could map out things in the field of football. I therefore opted for local trainers and supervisors. People who knew the club or the country well.

‘You play a role in how you are judged. Sometimes approach it with a wink. I mean, we are talking about football, not about war and peace.’

Upon arrival at United Ten Hag was joined by Steve McClaren his former Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag in the dugout.

Fellow Dutchman and United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy also later joined the club’s coaching staff, before briefly succeeding Ten Hag on an interim basis after he was sacked.