Former Go Ahead Eagles midfielder Sjoerd Overgoor has lifted the lid on the level of attention to detail that Erik ten Hag will almost certainly show at Manchester United.
The 52-year-old is close to being installed as the club's next permanent manager following months of speculation. Interviewed for the job just over three weeks ago, the Ajax boss is now very close to agreeing to take over at Old Trafford ahead of next season.
Ten Hag, as revealed by the Manchester Evening News last month, is United's preferred candidate to pick up the baton from Ralf Rangnick and oversee the next chapter in the club's history. The Dutchman will be tasked with bringing fresh ideas and implementing a new philosophy in an attempt to bring the good times back to Old Trafford.
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And if his reputation is anything to go by, he is not likely to disappoint. That is because Ten Hag has built his managerial career on going above and beyond to create the best possible environment for everyone involved in the pursuit of success.
Overgoor, who played under Ten Hag at Go Ahead Eagles during the latter's first stint in management, has addressed how committed the Dutchman was to ensuring everything was perfect. He has even detailed how Ten Hag paid close attention to the length of the playing surface.
"He wanted the drinks put out in straight lines," Overgoor told Sky Sports. "Everything had to be perfect in his eyes.
"People needed time to get used to that. We had one man whose job it was to look after the pitch.
"Every day Erik would be coming to him and saying that the grass had to be two millimetres or something like that. That was a big difference for everyone at the club. He changed everything.
"Remember, this is not a big club in Holland. We did not have the best facilities but he made them the best.
"A lot of coaches come to clubs like Eagles and have the attitude that they have to deal with it. He did not deal with it. Instead, he made it better and better."
Although Ten Hag has brought success to Ajax since taking charge in December 2017, taking over at Old Trafford promises to be his biggest challenge to date. He is going to be expected to win trophies and challenge for the Premier League title, but patience must be granted.
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