The differences between Erik ten Hag and Jose Mourinho have been plain to see at Manchester United, a former team-mate of the Dutch coach has said.
Former Ajax boss Ten Hag took over at Old Trafford ahead of the 2022-23 season and has already improved the team's fortunes. After finishing sixth last season, United are well-placed for a top four finish and have already claimed their first silverware since 2017 by beating Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
Hans Kraay, who played with the 53-year-old at De Graafschap, has spoken to Mirror Football about his former colleague. The ex-midfielder, who also spent time in England with Brighton, pointed to Ten Hag's first day in charge when emphasising how he differs from former United boss Mourinho.
"What is great about Erik is that he is down to earth and never wants to be a flash manager like some managers," Kraay said. "He is not like Jose Mourinho. When he went into his first day of training, he wanted to go in a van with his own cones in the back. That sums him up."
Kraay spoke of Ten Hag being forced to work hard to claim credit for his success at Ajax, with sporting director Marc Overmars receiving early plaudits. “Only when he started to beat European giants like Real Madrid and Juventus did he finally get the credits," he said.
“This is why I say, ‘don’t laugh at Ten Hag and never underestimate him.’ Erik will always rise above all the expectations.”
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Mourinho won two trophies in his first season as Man Utd boss, back in 2016-17. He followed a League Cup final victory over Southampton with a triumph against Ajax in the Europa League showpiece, with Ten Hag taking over at the Amsterdam club a little later.
There is still a chance for a repeat this term. The victory at Wembley ensures United will end the season with at least one trophy, while they are due to face Real Betis in the last 16 of the Europa League and Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
"l am delighted that we have our first trophy together, but all our efforts now must be on making sure that it is not the last… now that we all have a taste of success together, the aim is to make sure it is on the menu again soon," Ten Hag wrote in his programme notes ahead of Wednesday's win against West Ham.
"What perhaps pleased me the most on Sunday was to see and hear all the players saying the same thing in the dressing room: they are not happy to ease up now that they have won a trophy and they are more determined than ever to keep winning more and more."
