Joey Barton has criticised Gary Lineker for his post-match interview with Erik ten Hag after Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-1 to win the FA Cup on Saturday.
Ten Hag went into the game amid speculation that he'll be sacked by Sir Jim Ratcliffe after a nightmare campaign so far.
But United produced one of their best performances under the 54-year-old, with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo giving them the trophy.
After the match, Lineker told Ten Hag that it could be his last game in charge.
The fellas just won the FA Cup against the best team in the country and this is how you interview him?
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) May 26, 2024
Poor form. 🤮 https://t.co/jVX5X7FEUo
The Dutchman simply responded by saying 'I don't know', though did appear to be irked by the question.
And Barton has now blasted Lineker on social media, accusing the BBC presenter of 'poor form'.
"The fellas just won the FA Cup against the best team in the country and this is how you interview him?" he wrote on X.
"Poor form."
Fans on X seemed to agree with Barton's assessment, with one user saying: "Thought the questioning from @GaryLineker was awful. Looking for a soundbite headline & nothing else."
A second opined: "Very rare Joey W."
A third said: "[Wayne] Rooney and [Micah] Richards looked uncomfortable and embarrassed."
A fourth said: "Facts. Very poor form to go in on a low note."
A fifth added: "Got to agree. Feel for the bloke with that."
And another said: "For once I agree with you. Over a league season he’s pretty useless but it’s pretty clear he’s very good at setting up teams to win big games against the top teams."
It remains to be seen if Ten Hag is able to keep his job.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will ultimately decide his future, with a final decision due to be made in the coming days.
Kieran McKenna, who was once Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's No 2 at Old Trafford, feels he's well-placed to take over.
Mauricio Pochettino has long had admirers at United and, with the Argentine now available following his recent sacking from Chelsea, could be brought in.
And Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Frank have both been linked with Ten Hag's job as well.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Erling Haaland's father brutally mocked by Man Utd fans on a train after striker struggled in FA Cup final
- Man Utd fans beg Sir Jim Ratcliffe to keep Erik ten Hag as manager after sensational FA Cup final win
- Pep Guardiola dubbed 'salty' by fans as Man City boss gives blunt interview after Man Utd FA Cup final defeat
Gary Lineker brutally asked Erik ten Hag about his future after Man Utd beat Man City to win the FA Cup
BBC
The Dutchman was, however, defiant after winning his second trophy in English football.
He vowed to keep winning trophies in his career regardless of what happens next, saying: “If they don’t want me anymore, I’ll go somewhere else and win trophies because that’s what I’ve done my whole career."
The 54-year-old added: "I am here and I want to build a team.
"My whole managerial career I have won games and trophies.
"You see in the last decade, there were not many finals, many trophies, not many young players coming through the first team with high potential.
Erik ten Hag was bullish over his Man Utd future after he oversaw his side's FA Cup final win over Man City
PA
"I don't know this [about INEOS talking to other managers without his knowledge]. I can't answer this question.
"Maybe you have sources, I don't have them."
