Cristiano Ronaldo: Former coach Erik ten Hag criticizes lack of fitness at Manchester United

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Erik ten Hag at Manchester United 2022

Is Cristiano Ronaldo still good enough for high-class football? Recently, CR7 took on the coach of the Portuguese national team because he had not let him play. At 41 years old, Ronaldo is simply no longer in the constitution, in which he became a world footballer five times. And now also his former coach at Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, against Ronaldo.

Ten Hag was in the 2022/23 season for half a year coach of Ronaldo at United, then the Portuguese – at that time already 37 – changed in January 2023 in dispute to Saudi Arabia. “He let the team down, and he let me down, because we had planned with him,” he told The Athletic.

Of course he is one of the best in the history of football. I respected him very much, said ten Hag: But at that time, as a coach, I had to make a rational decision and keep the players I admire. This was obviously not the case with Ronaldo. According to ten Hag, Ronaldo withdrew from training sessions, did not bring his heart rate to the required level in sessions and only partially completed punishment training.

"I confronted him," said Ten Hag, saying to Ronaldo, "Ronnie, everyone wants to work to get you in the right position, but if you don't get yourself into the box, you can't score." But: “He was not able to do that.” Ten Hag wanted to let his team play with pressing against the ball. “But he just couldn’t.” He didn't run with or without a ball," said Ten Hag of Ronaldo, "the reason was that he hadn't prepared. Ten Hag said: Every top team must support their top player, but the top player must also work for the team. ‘

Ronaldo told other players in training to protect their legs. “I understand that when you’re top fit.” There are training sessions in which you can spare the legs. But first you have to exercise to reach the right level of fitness, said ten Hag. Ronaldo was long regarded as a professional who attaches enormous importance to his fitness.

“The Athletic” reports that Ronaldo has not yet responded to a request about Ten Hag’s statements.

Years of sporting decline and stubbornness culminate in the rift between Portugal and his greatest son. Was there a betrayal?