Erik ten Hag sacked after West Ham United controversy as ex-PGMOL boss explodes

Manchester United conceding a penalty at the death to West Ham has drawn an outraged, furious reaction from former referees chief Keith Hackett.

The ex-head of the PGMOL exploded in The Telegraph on 27 October after David Coote gave the Hammers a match-winning spot kick in the 2-1 win at the London Stadium, following Michael Oliver's recommendation of a review for a clash between Danny Ings and Matthijs de Ligt.

Hackett didn't hold back as he branded the decision "horrendous", "worse than bizarre" and "one of the worst I have ever seen" as he decried the refereeing hierarchy that he feels influenced the lower-ranked Coote to accept the view of Oliver.

And he was particularly outraged at the prospect that such a decision could ultimately lose Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag his job, which is exactly what has happened as his sacking was announced the following day.

Hackett said: "Crikey me, this is horrendous. The decision to give West Ham a penalty that they won the game from – and could cost Erik ten Hag his job – is one of the worst I have ever seen. I cannot see how Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have fouled Danny Ings.

"I am struggling to even put this into words. It is bizarre – I am stunned. Actually, it is worse than bizarre. A park referee would not even give this as a penalty. Ten Hag has every right to be furious.

"It is not a clear and obvious error for David Coote to give no penalty. What on earth has Michael Oliver even seen, as the VAR?"

Jarrod Bowen scored controversial West Ham winner

It could hardly have been a more excruciating defeat for Ten Hag in the circumstances, with the late VAR review even stumping Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports (28 October) who can usually find a way to back any refereeing decision.

And when the visitors should have been four or five up by half time it made it all the worse for the Dutchman, although it has to be said he was hardly secure in his job even if the penalty shout had gone his way.

Julen Lopetegui's side were as bad as they have been this season for the first 45 minutes, but the struggling Irons boss' half-time changes had a the desired effect, with the lesser-used Crysencio Summerville scoring his first in an improve showing after the break.

The new Hammers boss needs to ensure this game was a turning point for him and his squad or it won't be long before he could join Ten Hag as losing his job this term.

The West Ham hierarchy aren't on the brink of pulling the trigger like INEOS clearly were, but if he can't back up this win with a fair few more before Christmas that could change [Guardian, 21 October].

In other West Ham news, the Hammers are now considered a "more likely" club to sign an in-demand Ballon d'Or nominee they are chasing as high-level talks emerge.

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