Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have clashed in a heated managerial debate over Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Sky Sports pundits sat side by side in the Old Trafford portico on Sunday during their commentary duties, with Carragher’s former Reds side emerging victorious against their fiercest rivals, winning 3-0.
After the match, the pair discussed the fortunes of Liverpool and United, with Neville suggesting that under-pressure United boss Erik ten Hag needed time in the club’s new structure.
Carragher was left almost unable to believe what he was hearing, and the duo were once again involved in a debate in the latest episode of Stay with football.
The incident began with Neville discussing Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool, but then moved on to Ten Hag and his efforts so far during his time at United.
Gary Neville (left) and Jamie Carragher (right) have been involved in a heated debate over the Liverpool and Manchester United managers.
The pair wanted to fight in the corners of the bosses of their respective former teams.
Erik ten Hag (right) was criticised by Carragher, although Neville defended him during the debate.
Arne Slot, who joined Liverpool in the summer as the club’s new manager, also entered the discussion.
“I think there was a certain feeling after the (FA Cup) final,” Neville said of the Dutchman. “The fans wanted Ten Hag to stay and they wanted to back him.
‘They’ve seen a lot of managers sacked over the years. I think they sounded out Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Tuchel in that era, but there was a bit of a negative reaction from fans.
“There’s no doubt they were flirting with the market and seeing what they could do. I think if there was an incredible manager who could improve United 100 per cent, beyond what Ten Hag could, they would have made a change. Liverpool had six months to replace Jurgen Klopp and still struggled to land their top targets.”
However, Carragher stepped in to defend Slot, who has enjoyed a near-perfect start to life as Liverpool manager.
The 45-year-old signed as the new Anfield manager in the summer, replacing Klopp, and has won his first three Premier League games without conceding, moving ahead of compatriot Ten Hag in the process.
“Where do you get that Arne Slot wasn’t Liverpool’s main target?” Carragher asked, to the surprise of Neville, who made it clear that it seemed obvious to him that Xabi Alonso would have been Liverpool’s preferred option.
“I’m sure they asked about Alonso and were told straight away that he would stay at Bayer Leverkusen,” Carragher replied. “You’re saying Liverpool made a big search, how do we know exactly what went on behind the scenes at Liverpool? Why didn’t Manchester United sign Arne Slot then?”
That led Neville to again defend Ten Hag, who many felt was lucky to receive the backing of the United hierarchy in the summer.
“I think they would have looked at it, but they would have thought: ‘Can we really get rid of a guy who has won two trophies in two years, who hasn’t been backed by the right structure, to bring in another Dutch coach?'” he replied.
However, Carragher criticised the United manager, replying: “What do you mean there’s no proper structure? He’s gone out and signed everyone he wanted.”
Neville was keen to point out that Xabi Alonso was probably Liverpool’s first choice for manager.
However, Slot has taken control and has enjoyed a near-perfect start as manager at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag was backed by United’s hierarchy in the summer despite suggestions he could leave.
The former defender was probably pointing to some of the more high-profile arrivals during Ten Hag’s tenure as manager, such as Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana and Antony, all three of whom played under him at Ajax.
The players have had mixed success, with some being regulars and others struggling to get minutes.
However, in the summer, new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe restructured United’s management structure, bringing in Dan Ashworth as sporting director and Omar Berrada as CEO.
Ten Hag has the full backing of the United hierarchy, Berrada insisted, saying they would “support him in every way possible… to allow him to fully concentrate on the training pitch and the tactical match plan to achieve success for Manchester United.”
