Varane Breaks Silence on Strained Relationship with Erik ten Hag

Raphaël Varane recently spoke to The Athletic, expressing surprise that former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was given a new contract ;

“I was surprised he stayed. The connection with the group no longer existed,” Varane stated.

The former French international also addressed his strained relationship with Ten Hag and his two-month absence from matches. Speaking to The Athletic, he revealed:

“We had a robust discussion. We told each other some truths, but then I didn’t play for almost two months. I said I didn’t agree with certain ways of doing things regarding the relationship between him and the team.

“It wasn’t something that I thought was good for the team because some of the players weren’t at all satisfied. It was not good in terms of the relationship with the coach. He said, ‘OK, I hear what you said,’ and after that, I didn’t play.”

Varane also criticized Ten Hag’s management style, stating:

“He wanted to gain respect through fear, perhaps. He always needed an example of a player who was isolated the entire time he was at Manchester.

“He did that with at least one important player on the team. He was always in conflict with certain leaders of the group. That is his way of managing.”

Varane won two trophies during his time at Manchester United and played his final 90 minutes for the club in their FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City.