Erik ten Hag has finally lifted the lid on his decision to join Manchester United, admitting that the challenge will be "difficult" but "beautiful."
The 51-year-old took charge of his final home game as Ajax boss on Wednesday, guiding his team to a rousing 5-0 victory over Heerenveen to seal his third Eredivisie title in four completed seasons with the club. It was after the match that Ten Hag opened up on his choice to become a Red Devil and leave Amsterdam, where he built a glittering legacy over four-and-a-half years.
Speaking to Voetbal International, the Dutch tactician said: "It felt like a difficult but great challenge. That is the most beautiful thing there is. There is something to build at United and something to gain. Manchester United is such a big name in football history. It feels like a challenge to put the club back on track of winning.
"Old Trafford is nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams for a reason. It is a club with name, fame and allure in international football. Everyone knows the history of the beautiful teams. From Sir Alex Ferguson of course, but also further back in time. The great team of the late fifties, which suddenly disappeared with the plane crash.
"The history is impressive, but I also started to delve into the present and the future. And the options that are available. They are there, also financially. If you also get a good feeling about the people there, then the picture is right and then the factors are present to take this step."
Ten Hag also revealed that his first contact with United officials came during the March international break, having been quizzed on the moment he actually decided to ditch Ajax. "That was not so long ago," the ex-Utrecht and Bayern Munich reserves manager explained. "Actually only after the talks with Man Utd, which only started in the last international break, at the end of March.
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"They also really knew a lot about me. They had done scouting, made analyses, gathered data, had interviews with people who had worked with me. Several rounds of discussions followed from there. So they didn't decide overnight. Neither did I."
"Those conversations were so good that I got the feeling: I want to take on that challenge. Then it started to come to life in my head and I made the decision that I would leave Ajax." Ten Hag added: "I do know that Manchester United have gone through a very careful procedure.
Club Brugge boss Alfred Schreuder will replace him at the Johan Cruyff Arena following Ajax's final game of the season at Vitesse on Sunday. Having been Ten Hag's assistant when they reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, Schreuder declared in a statement: "Becoming head coach at Ajax is an honour and a great opportunity, that I will grab with both hands.
"I'm also excited to return here because I enjoyed the one and a half years I've worked at Ajax very much. I wish to win prizes here in Amsterdam, with a team that plays attractive football. With a good balance between experienced top players and very big talents. But first I want to end the season with Club Brugge successfully. I want to say goodbye with a title, that is very important to me and I will do my absolute best to accomplish that."
