The coaching work of Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot has been put under the microscope by one of their former players(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

'I've worked with Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot - this is why the Liverpool boss is better'

Liverpool are streaks ahead of Manchester United so far this Premier League season, but one player has had his say over who is the better manage between Arne Slot and Erik ten Hag

by · The Mirror

All signs suggest Liverpool have the best Dutch coach in the Premier League after Arne Slot has made strides past Erik ten Hag's Manchester United.

However, there are those with a more intimate understanding of the differences between the two managers after working under both. One such player is Cambuur's Mark Diemers, who spent a brief spell alongside Ten Hag at Utrecht before linking up with Slot when he took over at Feyenoord.

Despite being Ten Hag's junior by eight years, Slot has taken Liverpool to the Premier League pinnacle this term having replaced Jurgen Klopp. Meanwhile, United are experiencing another turgid start to the campaign under Ten Hag, who won the FA Cup last season but also oversaw the club's worst finish of the Premier League era.

Both managers clinched Eredivisie honours before making their way to England, albeit at very different stages of their careers. However, Diemers had his pick marked out when it came to deciding which coach he enjoyed working with the most.

"I choose Arne Slot," he told ESPN Netherlands earlier this year when asked about the best manager he has worked with. "I can only talk from my time. I found Ten Hag insanely good tactically, so were his training sessions.

"I just didn’t think he was very good, at that time, on a human level. But that was already six or seven years ago. I thought Slot was a lot stronger on a human level.

"Look at what kind of clubs [Ten Hag] has worked at, so he must also have qualities on a human level. I still have contact with him via WhatsApp. Then he also comes across as very friendly to me. He will undoubtedly have grown on a human level as well."

Mark Diemers is one of the few players who has spent time under both Slot and Ten Hag( Image: Andre Weening/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

It would be unfair to judge the two coaches on their English exploits alone, of course. After all, there's no guarantee Slot would have performed any better than his compatriot if tasked with United's revival, while it's impossible to say whether Ten Hag would have fared any worse if handed the reins at Anfield.

Ten Hag, 54, boasted high stock when he was selected to take over at Old Trafford in 2022, having just won a third Eredivisie title in four seasons and becoming the fastest manager to reach 100 league wins with Ajax. Slot's Feyenoord finished third in the league that same season and placed as runners-up to Roma in the Europa Conference League final.

Ten Hag is once again reportedly close to being fired( Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

What is certain is that Liverpool will be happy with their pick as to whom should fill Klopp's considerable boots. Slot, 46, has been close to flawless thus far in his new post, guiding the Reds to the top of the table while winning both of his Champions League tests to date.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, finds himself the subject of rampant speculation he faces the axe despite only signing a new contract in the summer. His exit would certify Slot as the best (and only) Dutch manager remaining in the Premier League - if his fast start to life at Liverpool wasn't evidence enough.

_Join our new WhatsApp community __and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our _Privacy Notice.