Winning Mentality
Erik Ten Hag has brought a level of discipline, great man-management skills and an ever-adapting tactical awareness to his sides, over the course of his managerial career which has spanned almost a decade now.
Having won five trophies thus far in his career, Ten Hag has made Ajax a side to watch out for both domestically and in Europe, which is highlighted by the side’s incredible run to the Champions League semi-finals back in 2019.
Although he remains somewhat inexperienced at an absolute top club like Manchester United, one must remember that the pressure to deliver results and wins at Ajax is just as high when it comes to domestic football.
Thus, he is a manager who will be used to the demands that come with a job where winning is an expectation.
Philosophy
Alongside an attractive style of play, Ten Hag brings with him a philosophy that is perfectly suited to what Manchester United will be looking for in their next manager if they do decide to part ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sometime in the near future.
The Dutch manager has shown, and continues to show, his ability to bring through young, promising talents into the first-team fold along with the more senior members of his squad throughout his years in management, which has helped nurture and develop a number of Europe’s top talents right now, including FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt. In fact, Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek will know very well how effective he is in bringing through youngsters into the first-team picture.
Since beginning of his time as the manager at Ajax back in 2017, the Dutch manager has provided Eredivisie debuts to several youngsters, who have gone on to play for some of the biggest sides in Europe or have stayed on at Ajax and continued to thrive there.