Others have tried to change it: Erik ten Hag is being supported to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo

Until last July, Steve McClaren worked in 114 competitive games as assistant coach to head coach Erik ten Hag at English record champions Manchester United. The 63-year-old, who is now Jamaica’s national coach, is now supporting the Dutchman when dealing with Cristiano Ronaldo.

In an interview with the English newspaper The Telegraph McClaren said: “I have nothing wrong with his approach. He did really, really well. I said back then he was the right man to succeed. That was shown by the way he dealt to Ronaldo.”

The Englishman explained: “He [ten Hag] it came with fixed rates. With established rules. A unique way of playing. And if you didn’t run, you didn’t play. He was very strict about it. Just like the Dutch. He knew this was necessary. There was no flexibility, no choice for the players [aus dieser Verantwortung] to go out That’s what you had to do – or you wouldn’t play.”