Erik ten Hag criticised after ‘tone deaf’ Marc Overmars comment

Not Ten Hag's finest moment

Incoming Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been criticised after comments he made about former Ajax director of football Marc Overmars. Overmars worked alongside Ten Hag at Ajax, but was forced to leave his role after it emerged that he had sent a series of 'inappropriate messages' to female colleagues. The former Arsenal midfielder left his position in February and admitted he felt "ashamed" by what had happened. He is now working at Belgian side Royal Antwerp, however, his former colleague believes there is still a future for him at Ajax. "If Johan Derksen can return to TV, Overmars can return to Ajax," Ten Hag said, via Het Parool. The reference made by Ten Hag about Derksen refers to a controversial incident in which the 73-year-old admitted on TV last month that he had assaulted an unconscious woman 50 years ago, as per the Daily Mail.

Ten Hag hopes he and Overmars can reunite at Ajax one day

Despite the claim, he was able to return to broadcasting duties and Ten Hag made that point by insisting that 'humans in this world should help each other.' The 52-year-old also talked about the idea of the pair reuniting at Ajax again one day.

"We humans are in this world to help each other and not to shoot each other," he added "I have said many times: this championship is also his championship. We built this team together. After the game against Heerenveen, I also congratulated Marc with the title via text. "It's a romantic thought to return to Ajax together one day. We have been very successful together. It's hard to say if it will happen, but it could happen."

But Ten Hag's comments have been criticised given the nature of Overmars' sacking, with some labelling his comments as "tone deaf," while others have outright criticised the new United boss. https://twitter.com/ReubenPinder/status/1526155629471092736 "I don’t know if I’d be publicly praising the guy who had to leave Ajax in shame because he was sexually harassing women. That’s a big red flag for me," said one user. https://twitter.com/calcio_danny/status/1526145648315310081 Another person tweeted: "Somehow made it much worse." https://twitter.com/notsuwaid/status/1526138081845252097 Meanwhile, another person said: "Reminder that Marc Overmars has left his role at Ajax in February over a series of inappropriate messages sent to several female colleagues." https://twitter.com/ThatUnitedLady/status/1526136981184339969

Ten Hag officially started work at his new role on Monday after he confirmed he wouldn't be travelling to Curacao to continue Ajax's title celebrations. Related links:

• Erik ten Hag terminates contract with Ajax early to start work at Man United
• Royal Antwerp sponsor cuts ties following Marc Overmars appointment
• Marc Overmars finds new job just weeks after leaving Ajax under a cloud

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