Erik ten Hag has sent a message of support to Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastien Haller as the Ivorian continues to recover from the devastating illness he was diagnosed with earlier this year.
Ten Hag brought Haller to Amsterdam in 2021 and enjoyed a stellar working relationship with the former West Ham man for 18 months before the pair went their separate ways.
After a record-breaking campaign with Ajax, Dortmund replaced the departing Erling Haaland with Haller but the dream move was soon scuppered by a horrible testicular cancer diagnosis.
Haller has missed all of this season so far and is currently recovering from the illness. There has been good news lately, however, with the striker believed to be keeping fit with Ajax recently.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game against West Ham, Haller’s former side, Ten Hag has sent a message of support.
“Definitely. So it was, really for me, such bad news. So sad for Sebastien Haller, he’s a great personality, that he got that illness,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
“Now he is on his way back. I sent him my best wishes and all the luck to get back as quick as possible. But, of course, I hope he can first get better from this illness and then return back to where you belong, in top football.
“I’ve said he’s not only a fantastic goalscorer but a fantastic team-mate and a great personality. He is one of my friends. I am really happy that he is back, on his way back, and I hope he will return as quickly as possible.”
SN’s verdict…
The illness that suddenly struck Haller is devastating and especially the timing of it. Haller had just enjoyed the breakthrough he was waiting for in his career.
Ten Hag is known for keeping a close bond with his players and you can definitely see that Haller was a player, and a person, he appreciated. We continue to wish Haller a strong recovery.
