Camila Sosa
At the end of the 2021-2022 Eredivise season, Erik ten Hag, one of the most respected coaches in the world of soccer in recent seasons, will leave Ajax of the Netherlands for a much more complicated challenge on the European continent.
As reported by the club itself, ten Hag will be Manchester United’s technical director for the next three seasons, including an option to extend the deal for a further year after joining the team on June 1.
“It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead. I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.”
Erik ten Hag on his arrival at Manchester United
With the arrival of Erik ten Hag, Manchester United are hoping to get back into contention for a Premier League title, something they have not done since the 2013 season when Sir Alex Ferguson was still in charge of the team.
To this end, according to The Guardian, ten Hag has asked to have the final say, in consultation with management, on the signings the team will make under his tenure. Something the club has not done for some time since Ferguson’s departure.
The English newspaper also added that the agreement between the two parties was ready a few days ago, but that United, out of respect for Ajax, called the Dutch team to negotiate the termination clause of the coach’s contract, which was approximately 2 million euros.
“During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth. In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that.”
John Murtough, Manchester United sporting director, on Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag is Manchester United’s fifth permanent manager since Ferguson retired and will replace interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who has struggled to turn United’s season around since replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.
Erik ten Hag’s Revolution at Ajax
Erik ten Hag played an important role in Ajax’s restructuring helping to end their four-year Eredivisie drought without league titles by winning the 2019 and 2021 titles, noting that in 2020, a season that was cancelled by COVID-19, they were also placed as championship leaders.
Ten Hag turned Ajax into one of the most balanced teams in Europe by being an offensive steamroller and an unbreakable wall at the back. As a result, his goal difference in the 210 games he has coached Ajax is +400, with 156 wins, 25 draws and just 29 defeats.
Ajax are currently leading the Erevidise with 72 points, four points ahead of nearest challengers PSV Eindhoven with only five games remaining in the season.
