Sacked Ten Hag was a 'dead man walking' at Man Utd - Shearer
Alan Shearer said Erik ten Hag had been a "dead man walking" after it emerged Manchester United had sounded out other managers in pre-season about the possibility of taking over at Old Trafford.
2 weeks ago
United boss Ten Hag was sacked on Monday as they called time on the Dutchman's two-year reign after Sunday's 2-1 defeat by West Ham - the club's fourth Premier League loss this season - left the Red Devils a lowly 14th in the table.
Ten Hag's position had been repeatedly called into question in recent weeks following several lacklustre results, with United also confirming Monday that Ruud van Nistelrooy will take interim charge.
Shearer, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, said it had long been just a matter of time before Ten Hag was sacked.
"We were just waiting for it to happen," said former England striker Shearer. "Even the way he was talking that 'we're all on the same page'. Well, they weren't really on the same page because everyone knew they were talking to (other) managers in the summer.
"If they're on the same page why on earth are they speaking to managers in the summer? As soon as that came out we all said he was a dead man walking, unfortunately."
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe kept faith with Ten Hag after the club's surprise FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley in May but a poor start to the season has prompted a re-think.
Several managers have been linked with the job at Old Trafford, including Thomas Frank, but the Brentford manager told Sky Sports: "I've got a big responsibility to Brentford, their fans, the leadership, players, staff.
"I've said many, many times, I'm very happy here. I think it's one of the best clubs in the world. What happens in the future, who knows?
"I can see myself here for a long, long time. I've also said that maybe if something comes up, an opportunity I'd like to try, OK, let's see. But now? No. I'm very, very happy here."
Ten Hag's position had been repeatedly called into question in recent weeks following several lacklustre results, with United also confirming Monday that Ruud van Nistelrooy will take interim charge.
Shearer, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, said it had long been just a matter of time before Ten Hag was sacked.
"We were just waiting for it to happen," said former England striker Shearer. "Even the way he was talking that 'we're all on the same page'. Well, they weren't really on the same page because everyone knew they were talking to (other) managers in the summer.
"If they're on the same page why on earth are they speaking to managers in the summer? As soon as that came out we all said he was a dead man walking, unfortunately."
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe kept faith with Ten Hag after the club's surprise FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley in May but a poor start to the season has prompted a re-think.
Several managers have been linked with the job at Old Trafford, including Thomas Frank, but the Brentford manager told Sky Sports: "I've got a big responsibility to Brentford, their fans, the leadership, players, staff.
"I've said many, many times, I'm very happy here. I think it's one of the best clubs in the world. What happens in the future, who knows?
"I can see myself here for a long, long time. I've also said that maybe if something comes up, an opportunity I'd like to try, OK, let's see. But now? No. I'm very, very happy here."
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