Manchester United have at last appointed Erik Ten Hag as the new manager of Manchester United. After months of speculation and deliberation, the United hierarchy chose the Dutch manager ahead of competitors Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers.
This appointment comes as the statement of a new era at United, with a fresh rebuild at hand.
Last season
The signing of Ten Hag stems from the sacking of former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021. Ralf Rangnick took up the reigns at the historic club as an interim in December, but struggled to have the desired impact, ultimately failing to improve United in his stint.
Previous managers
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, United’s managerial choices have been defensively prioritised.
The hiring of David Moyes failed to impress as he faced the sack less than a year into his tenure, after United finished seventh in the Premier League table. Subsequently, Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal was hired in May 2014.
Van Gaal had a successful history having won the Champions League with Ajax in 1994, and seven league titles with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. However, Van Gaal was known for his slow, possession based football, which although previously successful, was opposing to the United identity of old under Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby.
At his time at the club, Van Gaal won an FA Cup, but was sacked just days later due to United’s failure to get Champions League football. Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho was hired just days after.
Mourinho was known as the ‘special one,’ having won wherever he went. He cemented his name into managerial history in 2004 when he won the Champions League with Porto. Subsequently, Chelsea hired him the season after, and he won back to back Premier League titles.
Mourinho’s won league titles at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Porto, as well as his second Champions League title at Inter Milan. Therefore, upon coming the manager of the Red Devils, the Portuguese coach had major pedigree. Thus, with his winning guarantee, excitement was building around the club in the belief he could take United back to title winning form.
However, despite a successful first season winning the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield, the silverware dried up and the form worsened. He was eventually sacked in December 2019 after a humiliating defeat to big rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. Club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took up the reigns as a caretaker manager, whilst United looked for a permanent replacement following his sacking.
However, due to Solskjaer’s impressive results, knocking PSG out of Europe and a resurgence in league form, Solskjaer was given the full time job.
During his time as manager, Solskjaer straightened out the club, after the turmoil left behind from Mourinho’s departure, but failed to win any trophies. Ultimately, during the Autumn of 2021 he was sacked after horrendous results against Liverpool, local rivals Manchester City and a thrashing against Watford.
Subsequently, Rangnick was appointed caretaker manager just a week later in the hopes of steadying the ship before finding a permanent manager solution in the summer.
However, despite initial success, Rangnick failed to do this. United finished sixth in the Premier League, saved by West Ham’s loss on the final day to avoid the Conference League. In the FA Cup, United were knocked out in the fourth round to Middlesborough on penalties, and in the Champions League, United lost their Quarter final clash with Atletico Madrid. Thus, Rangnick left United in quite an unsatisfactory state.
Ten Hag’s history
The Dutch coach has been engrossed in football his whole life. As a boy he was influenced by footballing icon Johan Cruyff, even talking to him in the flesh.
‘You should watch out’ – Footage emerges of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag telling Johan Cruyff how to coach at 13 years old
Ten Hag started out as a player, playing for the likes of Twente FC and FC Utrecht, before taking his first steps into management as assistant coach of his former playing side FC Twente’s U17’s in July 2002 for a year, and then the U19’s for three years. In this time, he worked under managers like Fred Rutten and Steve McClaren.
A year later he became assistant manager of Twente FC’s men’s team for three years and another three years as assistant manager at PSV Eindhoven.
Then in 2012, he took his next big step becoming manager of Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles for a year.
Crucially, in 2013, Ten Hag joined Bayern’s second team as their manager. This was pivotal as it meant the Dutch manager got to learn from Pep Guardiola and take his managerial knowledge to the next level.
In 2015, Ten Hag joined his former playing side FC Utrecht as their manager for two and a half years before Ajax swooped him up in December 2017. This is where Ten Hag truly made his name winning three Dutch league titles, two Dutch Cups and one Dutch Super Cup.
In addition, Ajax’s success in the 2018/19 Champions League campaign, reaching the Semi Finals just being knocked out to Tottenham, helped illustrate the impressive job the Dutch coach had done on this Ajax side. Subsequently, United felt Ten Hag was the right man to re-build United as he’d done with Ajax.
Style of play
Ten Hag’s style of play is incredibly positive, playing expansive football which looks to use technical players who can master the art of pass and move. A seemingly simple style, which executed well makes for brilliant viewing.
In his 2018/19 side, with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Donny Van de Beek and Dusan Tadic, Ajax played a thrilling style of football. They perfected their control of the ball in tight areas, cleverly playing out of a press through intricate triangles. Ajax were a chance creation machine, scoring goals freely.
Effect on United
Therefore, after years of defensive coaches, or managers not up-to the level of Manchester United, Ten Hag comes in as a breath of fresh air, with new expansive ideas that could make United an entertaining side again.
The identity of Manchester United is rooted in playing exciting football to get the fans off their seats whilst winning trophies. United will be hoping Ten Hag can induct his previous style of play on his new side whilst bringing United back to winning trophies again.
Expectations
After a rocky year in the 2021/22 season, despite Ten Hag’s arrival, expectations shouldn’t be too high.
Even with the pedigree of coaches like Mourinho and the footballing experience of Rangnick, the United players have often turned against the coach, unwilling to buy into their style and values. Therefore, some may believe that these players will once again be unwilling to go that extra mile for the manager and indoctrinate his style. However, Ten Hag enforces strict discipline into his sides, and thus players who don’t abide by this will be moved on.
After the failure to reach top four last season, the United board would expect Ten Hag to at-least challenge for Champions League football.
In the cups, United will hope Ten Hag can get them back to winning ways, bringing some silverware back to Old Trafford after a five year drought. However, due to the nature of the rebuild, and the major progress needed, the fans and the board shouldn’t panic too much if expectations aren’t met immediately, as the Dutch coach needs time to mould the team to his style.
Players to look out for
During his time at Ajax, Ten Hag prospered at improving the players he had, and turning them into quality players. Therefore, there will be players at United which Ten Hag could massively improve.
Bruno Fernandes is one that immediately stands out. Likened to Tadic, Fernandes has recently struggled after a phenomenal start to his career at the club. The Portuguese is known to be erratic and hot headed, often looking to play the miracle ball. However, under Ten Hag’s guidance, Fernandes could massively improve his decision making, using his brilliant passing range more effectively for the team in general.
Marcus Rashford is a player who has looked a shadow of himself in the previous season. The England international had previously been a menace to defenders, instilling panic whenever he ran at them. However, since he’s had an abundance of injuries, Rashford has struggled for form and confidence. Thus, under Ten Hag’s guidance, Rashford could regain his confidence and become a major threat off United’s left wing again.
Brazilian midfielder Fred is a highly disputed player. His tenacity and energy makes him a useful presence in the midfield, encouraging a better team press throughout. However, on the ball, Fred struggles. Subsequently, this can massively hinder the team going forward. Therefore, under Ten Hag, Fred could substantially improve on the ball, with guidance into the one touch football the Dutch coach likes to play.
Overview
Ultimately the appointment of Ten Hag is an incredibly positive move for the club, moving away from defensive coaches, or managers who aren’t renowned for winning, and encouraging the backing of an offensive manager whose ideologies are built on playing good football and winning trophies.