Erik ten Hag (52) states that he made clear demands before he took the Manchester United job and warns the heavily criticized stars.
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No one is going to get any kind of special treatment, we must believe ten Hag in the first interview after he was announced as Manchester United’s new manager.
To the Dutch newspaper Fidelity The Dutchman talks about the demands he made on the English big club, how he wants to handle the star players and his winning mentality.
Before ten Hag took over Ajax in 2017, the big club had not won the league in three seasons. Now the capital club is heading towards the third straight title under the 52-year-old’s leadership.
At Manchester United, the trophy drought is even worse. The “Red Devils” have not won the Premier League since 2013, then under Sir Alex Ferguson. Is ten Hag the man who can get the club back on track?
– I got Ajax to play the Ajax way. Always with the intention of playing good, entertaining and beautiful football. Now there is a winning mentality in the club. Whether Ajax was missing before I came? Yes, I mean that, he answers his own question.
The star factor in United also became a topic in the interview and one of the questions was whether he can handle the stars – like Ronaldo.
– I think so. I will be myself and will not change my vision. I do not want to change my view on “coaching”. I want to tell them what their tasks are, and those who do not meet the requirements will hear it from me. No matter who it is, I make no exceptions in that way, says ten Hag, who will take over United this summer.
Pep Guardiola, Dutch football profiles and his own players are some of those who have praised ten Hag’s qualities. The Dutchman worked with Guardiola when he was in charge of Bayern’s reserve team from 2013 to 2015.
The success of Ajax has made him one of Europe’s most sought after coaches and several clubs have wanted his services.
Therefore, he did not blindly say yes to the United job.
– I made demands. If the club would not meet them, I would not take the job. I am the one who is responsible, and who will judge by the results.
– I do not want to be a ruler, we will work together, but it was a requirement that I have a voice in which players we buy, says ten Hag.
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