Erik Ten Hag in his latest tell-all interview has opened up on how social media affected the Man United squad during his time in charge.
Erik ten Hag admitted that he has had to adopt a softer approach with the Manchester United squad, blaming social media for making modern players less “thick-skinned.” Reflecting on his own experiences, he pointed out that constant exposure to online platforms has made today’s footballers more sensitive to external opinions, particularly criticism.
Discussing the complexities of managing players in the modern era, Ten Hag acknowledged the difficulties of conveying tactical instructions in an increasingly fast-paced world. Speaking on SEG Stories, he explained:
“You have to take into account a player’s well-being, how they handle media scrutiny, fan reactions, and social media influences. All these factors affect a player, sometimes in a positive way, but often negatively.”
He emphasized that the current generation of footballers struggles more with criticism than previous ones, stating that players from his own era were more resilient. He recalled being coached in a much more direct manner, noting that using the same approach today would likely demotivate modern players.
Ten Hag also highlighted the impact of social media and short-form content platforms like TikTok, which have shortened players’ attention spans, making traditional coaching methods less effective.
“What did [Donald] Trump rely on during his election campaign? Mainly TikTok. That’s how today’s generation consumes information,” he noted.
“Their attention span is very short, so you have to communicate your message quickly. But football is a complex game, and that presents a major challenge. You can’t explain how to play football in just one or two minutes.”
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