Erik ten Hag’s departure from Ajax to take charge of Manchester United had already been a constant topic in the Dutch media in the past few months, and now that the move is confirmed, there are obviously many opinions being said in the coach’s country.
An interesting piece can now be found on De Telegraaf, where their football chief Valentijn Driessen today features a column about the challenges that the manager will have at Old Trafford.
“De Tukker had a difficult start at both FC Utrecht and Ajax. Transferring his ideas and convincing players took quite some time. At Manchester United you get less time than the six months that he was awarded at Ajax,” Valentijn Driessen wrote on De Telegraaf (via Soccer News).
“Even with a three-year contract in his pocket and an option for a fourth year. Ten Hag has to convince many. He can only silence everyone with results.”
The columnist then has a go at the current Manchester United administration, pointing out the ‘mess’ left in the past few years and the failed signings they’ve been making in recent transfer windows.
“United will be the biggest imaginable challenge in ten Hag’s career. He is not deterred by the risk of damage in Manchester. But the club is at a loss, both on the field and outside the lines, it is one big mess at the English superpower. Only if ten Hag succeeds, or better, is given direct lines of communication like he did with Ajax and he is fully covered from above then there is a chance of success.”
Now with several players said to be willing to leave Manchester United at the season, Valentijn Driessen pointed out that this may actually be a good factor for Ten Hag, who’ll have more strength to rebuild the team.
“It would give him the space to fill the roster as he sees fit with players who can carry out his vision and create a new healthy dynamic, but if Ten Hag is forced to make some commercial purchases to increase the market value of Manchester United guarantee, then that would herald the bankruptcy of ten Hag at United in advance.”
