Arne Slot makes big Erik ten Hag prediction as Liverpool boss weighs in on Man Utd sacking

Arne Slot expects to see Erik ten Hag back at a big club before long despite his Manchester United sacking.

The Liverpool boss is only five months into his spell in the Premier League and he has already seen one of his countrymen axed. Ten Hag was dismissed by United on Monday after a dismal start to the season, with a 2-1 defeat at West Ham proving to be his final game in charge.

Despite the bitter rivalry between Liverpool and United, Slot was classy in his response to Ten Hag’s unfortunate news. The Reds manager also went out of his way to point out his prior accomplishments in the Netherlands.

“He’s a Dutch manager which makes it even harder for me,” said Slot in his press conference on Tuesday. “Thoughts are with him. We are all in this job so we know it can happen.

“I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it. For him, it’s of course a pity. But we also know how well he did at Ajax and that he won two trophies over here. I think we’ll see him at a big club again.”

United have placed another of Slot’s compatriots in charge, but Ruud van Nistelrooy’s spell as interim boss could end swiftly if the club’s pursuit of Ruben Amorim moves forward. The Portuguese has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to take the top job at Old Trafford.

He will hope to have a similar impact in Manchester as Slot has had on Merseyside. The former Feyenoord boss has collected 22 points from a possible 27 in his first nine Premier League games, when many suspected he could struggle to fill the shoes of legendary manager Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool’s next assignment is a double-header against Brighton, firstly on the south coast in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and then at Anfield in the Premier League this weekend.

Slot has suggested that rotation will be inevitable while praising those waiting patiently for chances to impress. “It’s not always easy as they all want to play,” he admitted. “It would be strange if they are happy if they don’t play.

“But they are professionals, they know it can happen and they have seen players in their position do really well. Not just Wataru [Endo] but also Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah. They understand.”