Man Utd Coach Ten Hag Defends Ronaldo Split

Cristiano Ronaldo with Juventus in 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo with Juventus in 2019. Photo by Paul Currie/BPI/REX/Shutterstock (10152259da)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag revealed that he does not regret the club’s fallout with Cristiano Ronaldo nor the Portuguese forward’s subsequent departure from the club.

“I had my reasons [for Ronaldo’s exit],” Ten Hag said about the decision to terminate Ronaldo’s contract with the club. “They were obvious and I also knew the consequences. It could have had a negative outcome. That is always possible in football. But I am not worrying. I sleep well also, even during those nights.”

Ten Hag went on to state that every decision he takes is done with the best interests of the team as a whole in mind. He also confirmed that he is ready to face the long-term consequences of his decisions.

Under ten Hag’s management, Ronaldo had gone from being a key member of Man Utd’s squad to a peripheral figure, struggling for game time. Tensions proceeded to build, with Ronaldo giving a controversial interview in which he criticized the club.

Ronaldo left the club in early November, going on to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr where he has since become the highest-paid soccer player in the world.

Harley loves music and tries to go to a music festival every summer. When he's not listening to music, he writes about movies, food and wine, art, and sport.