Former Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has revealed how Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag won him over at the club after initially annoying him.
The Dutch goalkeeper has been speaking to Tussen de Palen on Ziggo Sport, relayed by Voetbal Zone, about working under the current Manchester United manager at Ajax.
Stekelenburg was a youth product at Ajax but returned in 2020 after nine years abroad, which saw him coincide with Ten Hag, who had already been at the club for two and a half years.
He had enjoyed great success at the club in that period too, developing young talent, establishing an exciting brand of football and leading them to two league titles, two KNVB Cups and the Johan Cruyff Shield in 2019.
They had also shined in the Champions League, particularly in 2018-19, when they were seconds away from reaching the Champions League final but for last-minute heroics from Tottenham.
Questions have been consistently asked about the Dutch manager and his methods, but Stekelenburg is a fan, having experienced it from the inside at Ajax, with initial ‘annoyance turned into appreciation’.
“In the beginning I had some difficulty with the discussions,” he said.
“They were so detailed and long, and every time it was the same. It didn’t matter whether you were playing against Heracles, Excelsior or Liverpool: every time it felt like we were playing against Real Madrid.
“People criticise how he gave his interviews, but you don’t recognise that when you work with him every day. Of course, you are a representative for a club, so you have to adopt a certain attitude.
“And he will defend his players at all times. That may seem a bit annoying to the people watching, but I have nothing but respect for this man.
“I think it is very impressive what he has achieved at Ajax. A well-deserved step.”
