Manchester United's process of appointing a new permanent manager - their fifth since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson - was one of great care. Of the options on the table, the club's shortlist was ultimately narrowed down to Paris Saint-Germain's Mauricio Pochettino and one other. For United, there was eventually one particular candidate that really stood out amongst the rest.
That candidate was Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag.
At 52 years-old, Ten Hag isn't quite as juvenile as many perceive (actually two years older than Pochettino). It can be viably argued that he lacks massive wealth of experience, but a managerial catalogue of over 40 Champions League matches goes a distance to dispelling doubts fuelled by the absence of any experience managing inside Europe's top five leagues.
Ten Hag's career as a coach commenced after 13 years of limited playing success in his native Netherlands. He retired at the tender age of 32 years-old, subsequently working as as under-17 manager at FC Twente after three playing spells with the club.
"I was as a player already half a manager," Ten Hag told club media upon joining United. "Many trainers I had a good connection with and they used me on the field as a communicator and to bring the vision they had, that they wanted to bring over to the team."
Proceeding a year with Twente's under-17s, Ten Hag was given a raise role-wise and took charge of the under-19s for the next three years. He impressed enough to be granted a role as the assistant in the first team for three years before serving the same term as second-hand man at PSV Eindhoven.
The first senior management job of Ten Hag's career came at Go Ahead Eagles in 2012 - a one-year stint during which he progressed the club to the Eredivisie for the first time in 17 years. After only 12 months, Ten Hag was lured to Bayern Munich, where he spent two years at the helm of their second team.
Before making the switch to Ajax, Ten Hag spent two-and-a-half years in the Eredivisie with FC Utretch, reaching the Europa League and a Dutch cup final. Overperformance with Utretch deemed Ten Hag the most suitable successor for Marcel Keizer at Ajax, who had endured an unsuccessful half-season in charge of the club.
Fast forward to this year and Ten Hag's success at Ajax over four-and-a-half years was to such degree that United saw him as their ideal permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, announcing his appointment on the 21st of April.
When Ten Hag took charge in Amsterdam around the turn of the year from 2017 into 2018, Ajax were deemed second-best in the Netherlands. As he departs the club, they are firmly cemented as the most formidable side in the country, with an overwhelming win rate equating to three league titles and a further two domestic cup wins in addition to laudable European runs. They have been securely Holland's number one side once again near-on ever since Ten Hag stepped to the helm.
Despite initial skepticism amongst fans due to being a non-Amsterdam born Dutchman, Ten Hag quickly endeared himself to the Ajax contingent. The different accent due to being born near to the German border in Haaksbergen was quickly rendered insignificant after early suggestions that he was an imposter. Much of this was down to results on the pitch.
Ten Hag was never phased by any skeptics, nor did he pay them any attention. As is the case with many things related to external voices on his back, he just didn't care. Ten Hag is not one to pay any credence to critics, such as in the media, never influenced or swayed one way or another by those on the outside in any aspect of his job; he comes across as his own person and remains modest in a way that his image is put completely on the backburner.
In his maiden full season in charge of Ajax, Ten Hag exceeded expectations by winning the league and cup double, with that ending a four season drought by way of an Eredivisie title. By reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, his side also overperformed substantially in European terms.
During their deep venture in Europe, Ajax overcame Juventus whilst also defeating Real Madrid, who had won the competition in each of the three seasons prior. The fairytale run was eventually curtailed with a last gasp defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, but the run is still regarded as a huge success in hindsight. With such success coming in his first complete campaign, it's no wonder Ten Hag was so promptly universally loved by Ajax supporters.
The COVID-19 pandemic meant the Eredivisie was declared null and void, causing Ten Hag to have to wait two years until his side could defend their title from the 2018/19 term. Once again, the league was accompanied by success in the cup.
Shortly into 2022, Ten Hag became the fastest manager in Eredivisie history to reach a century of wins for Ajax - after only 128 matches in charge - en-route to bowing out from Amsterdam by pipping PSV to his third title. Their rivals in the league did get the upper hand in the cup final, however.
Ten Hag still took some positives from defeat to PSV in the final. "I worked at PSV and the cup final didn't get any attention there for years," he told Dutch outlet Trouw. Now all of a sudden it's a big trophy - that's how they celebrated it. I think that's the biggest compliment we could have got. It shows that the trophies for the last couple of years were mostly for Ajax."
Ten Hag later said in an interview with United: "When I started [at Ajax] PSV was on top, and we changed it. In the last four years (before he took charge) they were number one continually."
The 2021/22 season also consisted of another impressive Champions League feat, with Ajax becoming the first Dutch side to win all of their group stage matches. It was a surprise to everyone when Benfica progressed past Ten Hag's side in the round of 16.
One of the most notable features of Ten Hag's rich success during his time at Ajax was the ability to continually succeed despite changing personnel. Early on during his tenure, it was the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech that were key assets. Aside from a few similar players at the core, his more recent outfits have been vastly different having suffered significant sales, with the likes of Jurrien Timber, Antony and Sebastian Haller now amongst figures gaining similar plaudits.
Ten Hag adapts well to using a variety of individuals within different profiles stylistically, still managing to get the best out of each and every player whilst maximising collective potential. One caveat is that he lacks experience of working with big names and egos, but Ten Hag has an air of self-belief about him.
"I think I can [deal with egos], but I will stay myself in that," Ten Hag claimed when interviewed by Trouw. "I won't change my vision. I will tell them their task and whoever does not meet those tasks will hear that from me, no matter who it is."
There has been an aura of authority detailed with relation to Ten Hag which does further point to an ability to control a dressing room of any dimension. He isn't necessarily one to shout but is still a figure of dominance. It will, no doubt, be a challenge for Ten Hag to impose himself at United, but it is one that he is definitely up for.
"I am capable of looking every player straight in the eyes," he has also said when speaking to the Dutch media. "I make all my choices in good conscience. The team stands above everything else. I choose the players that I believe give us the most chances of winning."
It is a fair claim that individual status is irrelevant in Ten Hag's eyes.
Aligned with the ethos at United, another selling point for Ten Hag is that he places a heavy onus on youth given a passion for blooding young players (like many of those listed a few paragraphs above as well as plenty of others). He has proven exceptional at striking a balance between youth and experience. Presently at United, there is an abundance of talented youth amongst the club's ranks, as proven by their first FA Youth Cup success since 2011.
Ten Hag has an excellent knack for overseeing and orchestrating projects, as proven by his ability to build Ajax back up to their pedestal in the Netherlands, thus it comes as no surprise that he turned down other options in order to join United. "I had choices to work at a different club, with a better foundation," Ten Hag admitted to De Telegraaf. "But I chose Manchester United. Things have to get addressed there and that's a challenge. The club and I are on the same wavelength about how I want to do this."
Not only applicable to youth, he has an ability to develop players to become major parts of his projects, as proven by Steven Berghuis, who was purchased for a minimal fee (something typical of Ten Hag) from Feyenoord and has been a revelation at Ajax. The midfielder, who has transitioned from a winger to more of a central midfield role, has waxed lyrical about Ten Hag.
"The fact that I have been able to develop myself under Ten Hag in several positions is satisfying," Berghuis said, also in an interview with De Telegraaf. "I was regarded as nothing more than a right-winger, but this manager has used my qualities in different positions."
Ten Hag is an expert man manager in this respect, as well as in many other aspects. He is a personable character who is approachable and in frequent dialogue with his players, constantly offering advice that can range to even what newspapers to read. Berghuis particularly detailed Ten Hag's role in supporting his adaptation during what he described as a "difficult transition" and "enormous challenge".
It is also viewed as important by Ten Hag that he knows his players very well on a personal level to develop a connection, with reports suggesting he wanted to know the precise details of each United player's off-season plans upon joining as the club's new manager. He is also said to like to build individual dossiers of each player in terms of their background, relating to their personal and family life as well as their character and lifestyle.
The man management skills that Ten Hag possesses also extent to a tactical scale, drilling them to ensure they are distinctly familiar with their roles and responsibilities. There have been suggestions that he sends video clips to players weeks in advance of matches, with Berghuis saying: "The coach explains most of what he wants to tell his players on the basis of video material, both in the team analysis and also individually. Everyone receives an explanation about what is being asked."
This level of communication is also applicable to matches, where Ten Hag adopts a hands-on approach, much like he does in training too, where he personally takes charge of sessions. He likes to give players feedback during matches by bringing his players to the touchline.
In more ways than one, Ten Hag is clearly excellent at getting his players onside.
This ability to allow individuals to excel is fantastic news for Van de Beek as he gears up to reunite with his former manager at Ajax. Their previous rapport will help, whilst Ten Hag is able to create an environment for players to thrive within. It is fair to say Van de Beek hasn't been offered that since joining the club in the summer of 2020.
Whether it be from Berghuis' glowing statements or showings of gratitude from several of his Ajax alumni in a farewell video composed by the club, it is clear that players enjoy working under Ten Hag. De Jong grew up dreaming of playing in a Barcelona shirt, yet Ten Hag's presence at Old Trafford seems to be an allure enough to attract him to the pending project.
It is certainly a handy attribute that Ten Hag has been widely described as 'football obsessed'. Still a student of the game, it has been widely documented that he watches matches from all around Europe.
He is also one, as has been mentioned, to relish a challenge. "It felt like a difficult but fantastic challenge [to join United]," Ten Hag said upon the announcement that he was becoming United manager. "At United, there's something to build and something to win. Manchester United is such a big name in the history of football - it's not for nothing they call Old Trafford the Theatre of Dreams."
Ten Hag can be labelled a hungry character who is positively stubborn. It would be wrong to say he held United at ransom, but negotiations were largely centred around Ten Hag's desire for heavy involvement in a number of off-field aspects, especially by way of transfers. "I make demands in advance before I arrive," he said to Trouw. "If the club doesn't grant them I won't take the job. I am the one responsible, I am the one who will get judged by results. I don't want to be a ruler, I will work together, but having a say in transfers is a condition for me."
The final point there is important. Ten Hag likes to lead and take responsibility whilst also operating co-operatively. As with the likes of Marc Overmars and Edwin van der Sar at Ajax, he is someone who also thrives off working relationships with people that he can trust. Funnily enough, both of the aforementioned are former players. So, ex-professionals can function with vast success behind the scenes, United fans.
It is probably wrong to say Ten Hag demands control; the case is more that he wants a significant influence in particular aspects and likes things to be on his terms. He is a perfectionist, but he trusts himself in orchestrating rebuilds such as that which faces him at United.
Steve McClaren, who has been given a role in Ten Hag's backroom staff arrangement at United, told the club: "His great strength lies not just in his attention to detail and organisation. He has a clear philosophy of how he wants to play football, the environment he wants to create."
McClaren worked with Ten Hag at Twente for a season. But, over in the Netherlands, it was Ten Hag playing second-fiddle to the man that will now be working under him for the foreseeable future. McClaren has given raving reports on Ten Hag, which is immense credit given his own plethora of experience, which includes a previous assistant role under Sir Alex Ferguson at United between 1999 and 2001.
Ten Hag's other assistant, Mitchell van der Gaag, has experience of his own. He managed in Holland, also winning promotion to the first division in Portugal when in charge of Belenenses.
McClaren has outlined one of Ten Hag's most notable characteristics as his attention to detail. "He would prepare meticulous game plans about the opposition - how we were going to press, how we were going to build up," McClaren said, via The Athletic. "I thought I knew football before, but going there and experiencing that I knew nothing about football."
As per The Telegraph, McClaren has also labelled an anecdote about his time with Ten Hag at Twente: "I knew that pre-season was due to start the next day and I said to Erik, 'Have you got our first day organised?' Over the next two hours he talked me through six weeks of pre-season work."
Ten Hag's organisational skills have been widely lauded. He rigorously analyses opponents to the extent that McClaren suggests he "always knew the answer" to everything that came his way. High work ethic is something else that is a feature of Ten Hag's management, with 'workaholic' a term often used to describe him. He even has knowledge of sports science to allow maximisation of match preparation.
After the most recent season drew to a close, Ten Hag neglected the chance to join Ajax on their post-season trip to Dutch Caribbean island Curacao. "I am not going to Curacao," he told Voetbal International at the time. "I think that's understandable. There is a lot of work to do."
He is laser-focused whenever there is a task at hand. Rather than get carried away with what has just happened, he is obsessed on whatever faces him next. His fixation extends to extents such as the fact that he declined to answer any questions about United in press conferences whilst Ajax were still playing for the league title. There is also a story that he was watching clips of Ajax's next domestic opponent on the way back from defeating Real Madrid in their 2018/19 Champions League campaign.
In Ten Hag's mind, the next match is always more important than that just gone.
His commitment has already translated to his work at United, too. "I've researched the present and future and the possibilities," Ten Hag admitted to Elko Born.
It is alleged that Ten Hag, whilst predominantly focusing on Ajax, tried to start some groundwork in terms of his United job in the latter stages of last term. It is blatant that he is motivated to attack the project at Old Trafford, with a conjunct sense of excitement also apparent. Meanwhile, he holds an air of realism in his belief that he is head of a "process", with the word "strategy" often mentioned, reinforcing the idea of his attention to detail.
He clearly has a plan, but he will need time to implement it.
The encapsulation of his desire came in his opening press conference as United manager, where he spoke about his admiration for Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. But he won't let their presences phase him. "You can always see that an era can come to an end," Ten Hag rallied.
His press conference allowed for a very good first impression. He was frank and concise in his answers, usually getting straight to the point. He spoke eloquently about the club's history and the importance of its culture, saying: "I know the history of Man United, I know the big times and the audience, the vibe that can be around Old Trafford. I watched them in their big times, when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager, during the really successful times when they won titles and were dominating Europe.
"But also before Sir Alex, Man United was a really big club and I know names like Busby and Charlton that gave Man United a presence to the outside world from winning, and winning in a spectacular way, winning so they entertain people."
Such knowledge of the club is invaluable, and is something that will allow Ten Hag to endear himself to United fans in the way he did at Ajax.
Whilst he was slightly awry in some instances, the language barrier didn't prove too much of an issue and his communication was, on the whole, impressive. A lack of perfected English was reportedly Ten Hag's downfall when he was interviewed for the Tottenham Hotspur job last summer, but he has since opted to take English lessons as it became apparent that there would be a vacancy at United, which is further credit to his devotion.
Another thing on display from the moment he stepped into the press room was his personable character. He greeted the front two rows of journalists with handshakes, whilst a video published by the club showed him visiting every department at Old Trafford and Carrington to introduce himself. His presence and charisma was previously doubted, but he presented both in abundance.
Something that attracts no doubt is Ten Hag's ability to stay true to his principles throughout each and every one of his teams. He has a strong voice to convey his ideas, maintaining discipline that requires reciprocation from his players. In his own words, he has "high demands" for his players as well as high expectations of himself. "Good is not good enough."
Dusan Tadic, who excelled under Ten Hag at Ajax, has described his now-former manager as "one of the best managers in the world", also claiming: "Tactically he thinks two steps ahead of the opponent. It is a pleasure to work with him."
McClaren claims that "they called him 'Mini Pep'" at Bayern Munich, where Guardiola was in charge of the first team at the same time Ten Hag was at the helm of their second team. He learned a lot from the current Manchester City boss, ensuring to watch most of his training sessions. Parts of Ten Hag's methodology and philosophy were adapted in accordance.
Whilst being flagged as 'win at all costs', Ten Hag's sides hold an identity deemed as attractive. Ten Hag says himself that he always has "the intention to play good with adventure and beauty". Such an entertaining brand of football is a significant reason for his appointment as United manager, with the values Ten Hag holds in this respect also much aligned with those of the club; he is a manager that recognises the importance of playing to the DNA of the club. This is imperative when you think back to the dismay as to the football often played by Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
Plenty associated with Ten Hag often comes full circle back to one thing that is paramount: a winning mentality. "We are playing in the Theatre of Dreams," Ten Hag exclaimed in an interview with the club. "We want to entertain. But in the end, the intention is to play fantastic football. If we can’t play fantastic football, we still have to win."
He describes his football as "dominant, dictating football", desiring high possession - majorly inside the final third - to assert authority in matches. It will certainly be a tough task for Ten Hag to immediately turn a United side more recently adept in counter attacking situations into a possession-dominant side given that they have often struggled to break down low blocks. But Ten Hag's sides have been specialists at breaching stubborn defences' guards, so there is certain reason to be hopeful that this United side can be guided to adapt.
The trademark of Ten Hag's style is its attacking nature, with his sides gaining control by playing relentlessly on the front foot. His Ajax team have consistently been in the top bracket for goalscoring both domestically and in Europe.
Proactivity is a constant both when attacking and defending, with Ten Hag demanding his sides to defend from the front and win possession high up the pitch. He requires his players to carry out "pressing, total high pressing", with an ability to counter press imperative to prevent opposing attacks near to their source. In Ten Hag's eyes, it is incredibly important that opposition players both on and off the ball are placed under duress.
It is an absolute non-negotiable that players "give their best", with Ten Hag desiring maximum speed, energy and commitment. Anything else is deemed absolutely unacceptable.
Another aspect of his ethos, which very much came to the forefront during his introductory interview and press conference, is 'fighting' and 'battling' as a collective. "I want to build and construct a team who are battling for each other, who are unified and who will get results," he said. He added that his players have to "fight and give 100 per cent".
Aggression rears its head as a principle in more ways than one: in the respect of the aforementioned fighting culture, but also by way of actions in possession. For example, his defenders are relied upon to carry and progress the ball as well as to engage in physical contests. A huge emphasis is placed on progressive passing, with Ten Hag's Ajax ranking amongst the best across Europe.
It is vital that each and every player is both technically and physically in peak condition.
As has been briefly touched on, it is also crucial that the players are together and on the same page. Ten Hag has outlined how essential it is that "they have to cooperate, they have to be unified". Cooperation is a real watchword, with cohesion integral to the success of Ten Hag's sides given the complexities of their configuration. "Everyone attacks, everyone defends," he made clear.
It is plain that Ten Hag developed both the attack and defence at Ajax, with a high total of goals scored and a low number of goals conceded contributing to some very high goal difference values, which is testament to Ten Hag's ability to structure his side. Haller's goalscoring heights in the Champions League last season, boasting 11 goals in seven matches, proved Ajax's attacking aptitude. Meanwhile, their defensive efficiency was proven by the fact they conceded only five times in their opening 23 Eredivisie matches last term.
In a deeper tactical sense, Ten Hag's sides are flexible in a tactical sense, with a number of different dimensions. There is an ability to make switches in-game, effective in both a sense of personnel and formation. McClaren has even likened this capability, especially in terms of making substitutions, to that of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Whilst he is always clear in his strategies, Ten Hag also holds the capacity to adapt situationally, such as based off the opponent. He will always set out distinct patterns of play, planning in detail for multiple different eventualities. Regardless, the basis is always centred around forward-thinking possession, including fast, incisive pass-and-move phases as well as verticality.
He may be yet to manage in a 'top league', but Ten Hag is as eager as anyone to succeed and put pay to the belief that Dutch managers are destined for failure in English football. Whilst he is yet to grace Europe's elite divisions, it is a certainty that Ten Hag possesses a suitable mixture of man-management expertise in addition to tactical and strategic nous to spur him in the direction of success.
It must be said, his credentials in European competition cannot be argued against either.
Ten Hag is someone that has always been pragmatic in every next step in his career; trusting his instincts has regularly paid off, whether it be retiring at an early age or making his move to Munich. With the right backing, there should be a reverberating sense that Ten Hag can be the man to swing United's fortunes back in the right direction.
He has to be afforded time, which will require patience from inside the club and externally amongst fans and the media. Of course, it will take time for him to make his mark and get the project into full swing. As Ten Hag has often reiterated, it is going to be a process. But a 'process man' he is - already a renowned figure in terms of orchestrating rebuilding projects.
Erik ten Hag is just what Manchester United need right now.
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