Erik ten Hag’s weekly press conference was interrupted by Manchester United media representatives, who stopped astonished reporter Gary Cotterill from questioning him.
No explanation as to why the Dutchman refused to take a question was given to the recognized experienced reporter.
But he thinks that United’s actions started late in the previous campaign when Cotterill tried to interview Ten Hag outside the stadium after a game against Crystal Palace and he tried to interview Ten Hag inside, although not yet holding the position of manager at the time.
In a standoff with the company that now pays billions to cover the Premier League, Erik ten Hag declined to answer questions from Sky Sports.
The Dutch manager’s weekly press conference before their trip to Southampton was interrupted by United Media officials, who prevented astonished reporter Gary Cotterill from asking questions.
On August 13, minutes after the final whistle of their devastating 4-0 loss at Brentford, a tweet with the hashtag “#karma” and a smiling face emoji was sent from the reporter’s Twitter account. It is thought that this message contributed to United’s reaction.
The current three-year, £5.1 billion Premier League TV agreement is mostly funded by Sky Sport, with contributions from BT Sport, Amazon Prime, and the BBC.
In an attempt to conduct an interview, Cotterill approached Ten Hag as he was leaving Selhurst Park after the previous season.
Erik Ten Hag was welcomed by the Sky Sports journalist, but the United Coach ignored him.
A security guard attempted to speak up, but Cotterill persisted. As the reporter was pushed aside by security, he often asked Erik Ten Hag if he was ready to begin.
Don’t push me; you’re on TV. It doesn’t look good, Erik, being handled by security, Cotterill said before turning to face Ten Hag. It’s Man United…a major club.
Cotterill was prevented from speaking to Ten Hag by the security man, and the 52-year-old then got into a car and left the stadium.
