In a stunning revelation that pulls back the curtain on the relationship between top clubs and broadcasters, Jamie Carragher has admitted that a famous 2022 interview with Erik ten Hag was “staged” by Manchester United.
The interview in question, broadcast on Sky Sports ahead of a crucial match against Liverpool in August 2022, is often remembered for the intense criticism the Dutchman received from pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
At the time, Ten Hag endured a disastrous start to his tenure, having lost his first two games to Brighton and Brentford, the latter a humiliating 4–0 defeat.
While viewers thought they were watching broadcasters hold a failing manager to account, Carragher has now revealed the segment was actually a calculated move orchestrated by the club itself.
Jamie Carragher reveals the truth about the famous interview with Erik ten Hag
The admission came during a conversation about X. Carragher, who recently faced accusations of bias over his criticism of current Liverpool boss Arne Slot, was challenged by a fan over Sky Sports’ access to managers.
In a moment of candid transparency, the former Liverpool defender quoted the fan to set the record straight, dropping a bombshell about the reality of football media.
“This interview was set up by Man Utd’s press office, not Sky Sports! ETH’s first two games had gone terribly wrong, so the idea was to help him out by talking football to us. We asked tough questions so it didn’t look like what it was, a set-up!!”
If Liverpool asks us!
This interview was set up by the Man Utd press office and not Sky Sports!!
ETH’s first two games had gone terribly wrong, so the idea was to help him by talking football with us. We asked tough questions so it didn’t look like what it was, a setup!!— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 24, 2025
Carragher’s revelation completely reframes the story of that broadcast. Far from being an ambush by Sky Sports to capitalize on United’s misery, the sit-down was a lifeline for Old Trafford’s communications team.
The aim was to give Ten Hag the opportunity to demonstrate his tactical insight and regain credibility in the eyes of the public.
How the ‘staged’ interview brought about Ten Hag’s turnaround
At the time, the strategy seemed to be working.
The ‘hard’ questioning gave the impression of rigorous investigation, appeased angry fans wanting answers, and at the same time gave Ten Hag a platform to express his views without the chaotic environment of a standard post-match press conference.
| Season | League result | Domestic cups | European competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 3rd in the premier league | – EFL Cup: Winners – FA Cup: Runners-up | UEFA Europa League: Quarter-finals |
| 2023–24 | 8th in the Eredivisie | – FA Cup: Winners – EFL Cup: Eliminated (4th round) | UEFA Champions League: Group stage exit |
| 2024-2025 (until Oct’25) | 15th in the Premier League | – FA Cup: Fifth round reached – EFL Cup: Quarter-finals | UEFA Europa League: Runners-up |
After the interview, United defeated Liverpool 2–1, a result that kickstarted Ten Hag’s first season and eventually led to a third-place finish and a Carabao Cup trophy.
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