Erik ten Hag was the “standout choice" to become Manchester United 's new permanent boss, according to Old Trafford chiefs.
Former Ajax boss Ten Hag beat candidates including current PSG and ex- Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino to become United's fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.
United Football Director John Murtough, who interviewed Ten Hag in person in Amsterdam, said the Dutchman set out a “long-term vision to build a successful, exciting team” in discussions about the role. Murtough said Ten Hag was the manager “most closely aligned with the identity and aims of United”, including a commitment to attacking football and developing young players.
“He showed passion, energy and enthusiasm for the challenge,” Murtough told a meeting of United’s Fans’ Forum, which took place before ten Hag was officially introduced as the new man in charge. Murtough said Ten Hag was a “proven winner” with his former club Ajax but stressed that fans must show patience as the 52-year-old sets about rebuilding the United team.
The update to fans came at the end of what Murtough acknowledged had been a disappointing season, and he promised that everyone at Carrington was determined to deliver “significant improvement” in the forthcoming 2022/23 campaign. Murtough, who led the search for the new manager, said the early appointment of Ten Hag had provided “clarity and confidence” for next season and beyond.
The Fan's Forum was also told about a series of “hidden changes” under way at United's training ground to strengthen support for the players and staff as they work to deliver success, following the club's worst points return – 58 – of the Premier League era.
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Some of those changes involve the scouting and recruitment department, where Murtough has been strengthening structures and processes under the umbrella of a broader revamp of the entire operation. United's ability to use data in areas such as match preparation and recruitment has also been improved by the recent appointment of the club’s first Director of Data Science.
Planning is also under way for a major redevelopment of the club’s training facilities to ensure they remain among the very best at elite level football. Murtough said: “It’s all about making sure we are creating the right environment and culture in which players can perform to their maximum potential.”
United begin pre-season training under ten Hag on June 27, before embarking on a two-and-a-half week tour of Thailand and Australia on July 8, ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which begins on August 6.
