'Always under criticism' - Erik ten Hag reflects on similarities with Jose Mourinho
- Erik ten Hag & Jose Mourinho face each for the first time
- Man Utd up against Fenerbahce in the Europa League
- Both managers have been under scrutiny and pressure
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has looked at his similarities with Jose Mourinho, admitting that both managers are forced to prove themselves over and over again, despite a history of success.
Ten Hag has faced intense scrutiny this season due to United's disappointing start to 2024/25, having already won trophies in each of the last two campaigns and routinely winning silverware at Ajax.
Meanwhile, Mourinho hasn't had an ideal start at Fenerbahce since moving to Turkey in summer. He is one of the most decorated coaches of all time, but his last trophy was more than two years ago, while he hasn't won a league title since leaving Chelsea for the second time in 2015.
"Mourinho and I, we won a lot of trophies in the last years. But you have to prove yourself every year and when you don't win, we are always under criticism," Ten Hag told reporters this week as the pair prepare to face each other for the first time.
"We know that, we are experienced enough. Professional football is about winning games. When you don’t win games, criticism is coming, but we also know it’s about how you are at the end of the year.
"Mourinho is so experienced, he will lead his team to its best form and will be successful and so will we. We are convinced we are in the right direction and if we follow the right path, we will achieve what our targets are."
Fenerbahce have been stung by conceding late goals in both Turkey's Super Lig and the Champions League this season, exiting the latter competition in the qualifying rounds to end up in the Europa League. They already trail Galatasaray domestically by eight points, albeit with a game in hand.
Mourinho's side have made a stronger start to the Europa League than Ten Hag's United, however. It's four points from two games against Union Saint-Gilloise and FC Twente to sit 14th in the standings at this stage. United have taken successive draws against FC Twente and Porto and are 21st.
Both teams will fancy their chances of going all the way if they can discover some positive momentum. Mourinho has won this competition with both Porto and United in the past and is chasing Turkish football's first European trophy since Galatasaray lifted this one in 2000.
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