Erik ten Hag has previously outlined how his vision of football is perfectly suited to Manchester United as his success has proven how the club were right to overlook Antonio Conte last season.
In November 2021, Conte was a free agent and ready to step into the Red Devils dugout after the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But United opted against opting the former Juventus and Inter boss, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout instead.
The combustible Italian is known for his fiery nature but had a proven track record of coaching experience in Serie A and of winning the Premier League with Chelsea in the 2016/17 season. United instead appointed interim coach Ralf Rangnick as they waited for Ten Hag to leave Ajax at the end of the campaign.
Spurs parted company with Conte this week after his remarkable post-match press conference following the 3-3 draw with Southampton last weekend. The North London club confirmed Cristian Stellini will be their acting head coach for the remainder of the season, with Ryan Mason his assistant.
United’s decision is already paying off as they sit third in the Premier League – up three places from last season – and have won the EFL Cup, their first silverware in six years. They are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the last eight of the Europa League.
One of the most impressive United results this season saw them see off Barcelona in Europe last month, with boss Ten Hag explaining after the game how his managerial ideas fitted the traditions and history of United.
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Ten Hag said after the victory over Barcelona in February: "I like dynamic football. I like speed. I don't like boring football. I like football that entertains the people - and you do that with speed."
United pride themselves on producing fast, counter-attacking teams who play with width, look at the long-term and blood youth team stars into the senior team. Ten Hag has ticked all these boxes, as he previously did at Ajax.
Conte was a different type of manager, one who was reactive and prioritised playing a system of wing-backs and compact defences. His style of play has often been criticised as being dull and reactionary – their recent meek FA Cup and Champions League exits were a low point.
United attracted no shortage of criticism for their decision to overlook the Italian but few will now question their judgement of waiting for their long-term target to become available and help reset the culture at Old Trafford.
