Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag is now believed to be the “clear favourite” for the Manchester United job- but the club's fans need to be wary over getting too excited.
The 52-year-old has a clear and attractive football philosophy, an outstanding track record for developing young players, and is currently on course for a third consecutive Eredivisie title with the Dutch giants. Reports from the Daily Mail understand he has jumped ahead of Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose wretched few weeks has seen his side crash out of the Champions League and lose four consecutive away matches.
It is too early to rule the former Tottenham boss as out of the running Ralf Rangnick. But developments with Ten Hag, who has frequently been linked with a move to the Premier League, suggest he may be the next permanent manager of the club. If he is United’s man, then the Reds would be wise to reflect on Pep Guardiola’s developing years at Manchester City.
Guardiola may have entered the Premier League with a reputation significantly higher than Ten Hag, but both managers are cut from the same cloth. Their philosophies are underpinned by the free flowing, possession-based football styles of the late Dutch and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff.
However, it’s a philosophy which will require time, patience and an awful lot of trial and error. Like Guardiola, Ten Hag will need plenty of time to ingrain his methods into a United side which is in desperate need of direction.
Guardiola’s debut season in the Premier League culminated with him failing to win a single major trophy for the first time in his managerial career. While his first transfer window yielded John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan, two players who remain pivotal to the Premier League holders, it also saw the unsuccessful arrivals of Claudio Bravo and Nolito.
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The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss also showed the door to the likes of Stevan Jovetic, Edin Dzeko, Wilfried Bony, Joe Hart, and Samir Nasri. The synergy and harmony required in Ten Hag’s style of play will not be able to cater for any dead wood, and the Dutchman will need time to root out those individuals.
Liverpool and Manchester City ’s immense success has been several years in the making; any expectation of Ten Hag immediately overhauling his side and assembling a title challenging team would be very unreasonable. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side have also come on leaps on bounds, Tottenham have made significant strides under Antonio Conte, and Thomas Tuchel appears to be capable of achieving anything at Chelsea – this is what Ten Hag will be up against!
Guardiola also arrived at a time when United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea were all still reeling from being pipped to the title by Leicester City. Now, the so-called big six, along with an ever-improving West Ham United side, are as strong as they have been for many years.
City put their trust into Guardiola, even when his initial league position and initial summer signings would have likely seen lesser managers face intense scrutiny. Ten Hag must be afforded that same level of faith if he is to develop this misfiring United team.
