Because he managed to kick Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik Ten Hag received sky-high praise from Manchester United fans. The figure in question is Thomas Zilliacus.
The name Thomas Zilliacus may sound familiar to football fans. However, he has experience in the world of sports by becoming chairman of the HJK Helsinki club from Finland from 1982 to 1986.
The name Thomas Zilliacus became one of the names that emerged as someone who would buy Manchester United after the Glazer Family announced they would sell the club. Zilliacus is a digital media entrepreneur with experience as CEO of Nokia’s Southeast Asia branch.
Not long ago, this Man United fan gave his comments on what Erik Ten Hag did in changing the Red Devils. The Finnish businessman thinks that Erik Ten Hag is an extraordinary coach.
“Based on what I have seen, he is a brilliant coach,” Zilliacus told Dutch media NOS quoted from goal international, Friday (31/03/2023).
“What he did for Ajax and what he’s done for Manchester United is incredible. Because at the start of the season it wasn’t going well,” he added.
Not only that, the decision of the Dutch coach to throw away Cristiano Ronaldo managed to impress Zilliacus. Zilliacus believes that Manchester United is much better when there is no CR7 in the team.
“And he has the courage that I really admire, which is to say to a big star like Cristiano Ronaldo like ‘look, this is my way of running a team and this is what I’m going to do'” Zilliacus said in awe.
“And that made Ronaldo leave the club now it seems the club is much better off without him.”
“I think he (Ten Hag) has done a great job. So I really hope he stays at the club and when I become owner I want to see him continue his work,” said Zilliacus.
In fact, Erik Ten Hag did a very good job of transforming United. He even managed to end his fasting for the title of red devil after more than five years. And in the standings, United are now still in third place by collecting 50 points from 26 matches.
Thomas Zilliacus himself will compete with two other candidates in his bid to become the new owner of Manchester United. The two Zilliacus competitors are a businessman from Qatar, namely Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and a businessman from England, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
In his plan, Zilliacus will invite United fans to become club owners. Because according to him, Manchester United does not belong to one person, but belongs to everyone who has a heart for the club.
