Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has warned Erik ten Hag that he is facing “massive pressure” to get Manchester United back to their previous heights.
Man Utd announced the Dutchman as their new manager on Thursday. He is replacing interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who will subsequently step into an Old Trafford consultancy role.
The Red Devils are facing a pivotal chapter in their history as Ten Hag comes in. Almost 10 years have passed since Sir Alex Ferguson left, but the club have made little progress – if any.
Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool was a sign of the job at hand. And Rangnick has insisted that United are “six years” behind their Premier League title-chasing arch rivals.
As it stands, Man Utd are only battling for fourth place. They are alongside Tottenham in that race, with Spurs also looking to get back to previous highs.
Conte, who made his move to Tottenham in November, told a press conference of Ten Hag’s task: “For sure, we’re talking about a big club, an important club.
“But, don’t forget that last season United finished second in the league. This season, United improved the squad with [Raphael] Varane, [Jadon] Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Pressed on the fact that United have since regressed, Conte added: “Yeah but it’s strange, no? Because last season they finished second and this season they improved the squad and you are going worse than last season.
“It means that it’s not so easy in England, especially in England it’s not so easy. For this reason I said to you during the season that many teams you have to pay attention to, because in England, it’s so difficult you can’t sleep.
“To finish in the relegation zone, to fight to avoid relegation or to fight for a place in the Europa League, the Conference League, to finish out of Europe.
“For sure, in England, for the manager it’s a big job, for every manager because the competition is very high. The level is so high. For sure when you’re at…