Erik ten Hag takes a brutal swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo
Erik ten Hag has reignited his feud with Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the Portuguese superstar has been past his best for years. The former Manchester United manager also praised Real Madrid for knowing exactly when to let him go.
The bitter relationship between Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo is back in the spotlight. The Dutch coach, now in charge of FC Twente, has delivered a harsh assessment of his former player's career, claiming the Portuguese superstar has been unable to perform at the highest level for years and suggesting Real Madrid knew exactly when to move on.
Speaking on ESPN Netherlands' Goedemorgen Eredivisie, Ten Hag questioned Ronaldo's performances since leaving Madrid.
"Over the past seven or eight years, Cristiano simply hasn't been able to perform anymore. From Juventus onward, that was the end for him," he said.
The former Manchester United manager argued that even the greatest players must eventually adapt to the demands of their teams. In his view, Ronaldo struggled to accept that his physical abilities were no longer the same.
Real Madrid Knew When to Let Him Go
Ten Hag pointed to Ronaldo's departure from Real Madrid in 2018 as an example of the Spanish club's ability to make difficult decisions before a player's decline becomes obvious.
"That's actually Real Madrid's great strength. They always know when to say goodbye to players," the Dutchman explained.
According to Ten Hag, Madrid recognize when a player's level begins to drop, even while the outside world still sees that player as being at the peak of their powers.
Ronaldo left the Spanish giants after winning four Champions League titles with the club and becoming their all-time leading goalscorer. He subsequently joined Juventus, where he continued scoring regularly before returning to English soccer.
What Went Wrong at Manchester United?
Ten Hag also revisited his difficult relationship with Ronaldo during their brief spell together at Manchester United in 2022.
The Dutch coach explained that he had outlined his tactical plans and expectations to Ronaldo when he arrived at Old Trafford, including the striker's role and what the team needed from him.
"When I started at Manchester United, I explained to Ronaldo how we were going to play, what his role would be, what I expected from him and what he could expect from me and the team," Ten Hag recalled.
But the former United boss argued that understanding those expectations was not enough. He questioned Ronaldo's ability to maintain the physical intensity required to compete at the highest level.
Ten Hag claimed the Portuguese forward could no longer push himself through the pain or train with the same intensity needed to stay in peak condition. Without that fitness, he argued, competing in the Premier League, the Champions League or for Portugal becomes extremely difficult.
A Feud That Ended in an Ugly Split
Their disagreements dominated Ronaldo's final months at Manchester United. The Portuguese forward lost his regular starting role under Ten Hag before leaving the club in November 2022, following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan in which he publicly criticized both the manager and United.
Ten Hag once again defended his approach, insisting that while every great team must support its biggest stars, those players must also be willing to put the team's needs first.
His comments come as Ronaldo, now 41, continues playing for Al Nassr and chasing the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals.
That pursuit makes Ten Hag's assessment particularly striking. Ronaldo continues to score in Saudi Arabia, but his former manager believes the debate is about more than goals.
For Ten Hag, the central question has always been whether Ronaldo could still meet the physical and tactical demands of elite European soccer. His latest remarks suggest their differences remain unresolved, even four years after their Manchester United split.
Key Takeaways From Ten Hag's Ronaldo Comments
- Harsh criticism: Ten Hag claimed Cristiano Ronaldo has been unable to perform at his previous level since his Juventus years.
- Real Madrid praised: The Dutch coach believes Madrid made the right decision by selling Ronaldo in 2018.
- Manchester United fallout: Ten Hag defended his management of Ronaldo and questioned the striker's physical preparation during their time together.
