Erik ten Hag is the new Manchester United manager
The worst-kept secret in football has been confirmed: Erik ten Hag will be the next Manchester United manager. The Ajax head coach has agreed to replace interim manager Ralf Rangnick in the summer.
The Dutchman has signed a three-year deal at Old Trafford and has plenty of work to do with a club who currently sit sixth in the Premier League. Nemanja Matic has already announced his departure, Paul Pogba is out of contract and numerous others could be sold off as part of rebuild.
Ten Hag has earned plaudits for his work at Ajax where he has won two Eredivisie titles and impressed with a young side in the Champions League, playing an exciting brand of football that some hope he can replicated in the Premier League.
We will bring you all the news and reaction from the announcement in the blog.
One man who will be pleased by the appointment is Donny van de Beek. The midfielder worked under Ten Hag with great success at Ajax but has been a marginal figure at Old Trafford, and is now out on loan at Everton where he is battling against relegation. Maybe being reunited with his former boss will kickstart his Premier League career at Manchester United.
A first mention of Pochettino in the blog there. A man who must be wondering if moving to PSG was worth it after all. It has not done much for his reputation, that’s for sure. I suspect if Ten Hag’s United do not start like a house on fire, then there will be no shortage of mentions of the Argentinian.
Yash Gupta emails: “Picked up phone and Ten Hag is announced. His style of play is good but is reliant on good technical players. Unless those players are truly world class, in this league teams will find a way. Biggest drawback which I’ve seen of his teams is due to different pressing structure which is focused more on gaps between opposition defence and midfield, more often than not when a turnover happens you have four or five players ready to run at the defence. Infact if opposition truly take their gloves off they can get something as defensive organisation has always looked weakest part of his management.
“As with any manager appointment role of recruitment is key and most important. Can’t help but feel relieved Poch is not going there who is a better coach and manager.”
Former United defender Jaap Stam says it will be difficult for Ten Hag to replicate his Ajax success at Old Trafford.
The ex-Holland man told Sky Sports: “Hopefully they (United fans) can expect a lot. But there’s a big difference between the Dutch league and the Premier League. Ajax are the top team in Holland and can spend a lot of money bringing in players of certain ability.
“To do the same in the Premier League you need to spend money and bring in players to fit into his philosophy. The quality of teams against you is much higher, and it will be difficult to be as dominant in the Premier League as Ajax was in Holland.
“You are going to need time. Do you get time? That’s always the issue for the coach. People inside the club will say they back you because it is a new project, but as a coach you have to compete for trophies.”
There has been no announcement on any backroom staff. Steve McClaren has been linked with a return to Old Trafford working alongside the man who was his assistant at FC Twente at the start of Ten Hag’s coaching career.
There is no shortage of things that need sorting at Old Trafford.
Learn about the great Ten Hag with this fine article.
John Murtough, Manchester United’s Football Director, says: “During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.
“In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that.
“We wish Erik the best of luck as he focuses on achieving a successful end to the season at Ajax and look forward to welcoming him to Manchester United this summer.”
Erik ten Hag said upon being appointed: “It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead. I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.
“It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.”
Erik ten Hag is the new Manchester United manager
The worst-kept secret in football has been confirmed: Erik ten Hag will be the next Manchester United manager. The Ajax head coach has agreed to replace interim manager Ralf Rangnick in the summer.
The Dutchman has signed a three-year deal at Old Trafford and has plenty of work to do with a club who currently sit sixth in the Premier League. Nemanja Matic has already announced his departure, Paul Pogba is out of contract and numerous others could be sold off as part of rebuild.
Ten Hag has earned plaudits for his work at Ajax where he has won two Eredivisie titles and impressed with a young side in the Champions League, playing an exciting brand of football that some hope he can replicated in the Premier League.
We will bring you all the news and reaction from the announcement in the blog.
