"Don't push me, you're on television. It doesn't look good being handled by security, Manchester United are a big club," Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill said, as he attempted to get a soundbite from Erik ten Hag at Selhurst Park in May last year.
It was the final day of the season and Ten Hag had just watched Crystal Palace defeat United 1-0 from the stands. He sat with assistants Mitchell van der Gaag, Steve McClaren and football director John Murtough, and wanted to make a quick exit.
After the full-time whistle, security escorted Ten Hag to the club-chartered BMW and Cotterill was patiently waiting. The reporter then attempted to get a response from the Dutchman, who stoically marched to the vehicle instead.
ALSO READ: Garnacho has responded to warning from Man United's dressing room
The awkward exchange quickly went viral and divided opinion on social media. The majority empathised with Ten Hag and argued he did not have to answer questions in a car park, whilst others said a few words wouldn't have taken much effort.
Cotterill was unsurprisingly in the latter camp. The reporter took to social media after the encounter and he posted a picture of himself alongside Louis van Gaal from when he was appointed as David Moyes' successor at Old Trafford in 2014.
He wrote: "A Dutch manager’s reaction to being asked a question in the street by sky reporter AFTER getting the Manchester United job. But BEFORE taking up the role. No not ten Hag. This was May 2014. Look and learn."
Prior to his appointment, it had been suggested Ten Hag's personality might become a problem during his time in Manchester. The media in Amsterdam referred to his press conference appearances and warned he was a succinct communicator.
With that warning from journalists covering Ajax and after the exchange at Selhurst Park, there was a feeling Ten Hag had something to prove in his few months. Will the players respond to him? Does he have the character to manage Manchester United?
It's almost the one-year anniversary of Ten Hag rejecting Cotterill and he's made a mockery of those questions. The 53-year-old, who ended the club's trophy drought in February, is perfect for United and he's enjoying an exceptional debut season.
Ten Hag was within his rights to snub Cotterill, who subsequently tweeted 'karma' with a smug-faced emoji after the Brentford debacle. It's understood the club were not pleased with that social media post.
Shortly after the heavy Brentford defeat, Cotterill attended a press conference at Carrington and he was unusually overlooked. The manager wasn't inclined to take a question from him, understandably.
The other journalists in the room that day would unanimously agree Ten Hag is personable and likeable. Those two characteristics have been key in transforming the club's fortunes and he wouldn't be getting the best of the squad without them.
Ten Hag was backed in the transfer market, spending north of £200million, but he inherited a broken dressing room and a club that had become increasingly disconnected from supporters, who had just endured a nightmare campaign.
The turnaround on the pitch and away from it has been remarkable. Ten Hag is a disciplinarian and often firm, but he's found the right balance in his man-management approach and almost every single member of the dressing room has improved.
Although more confirmation wasn't required, the footage released this week of Ten Hag speaking to Alejandro Garnacho's family, who were celebrating the player's contract extension, is further evidence he's the right man for United.
It was a small yet classy touch. The passionate speech, in which Ten Hag gives the impression of being a father figure, gives rare insight into how he privately deals with his players and it's not a surprise they want to repay his faith in them.
Sky Sports reporter Cotterill ironically posted a photo with Van Gaal after his encounter with Ten Hag, but whilst the pair are both charismatic and hail from the Netherlands, the similarities stop there and that's actually a positive.
Many players did not enjoy playing for Van Gaal during his time at Old Trafford, but the majority love playing for Ten Hag.
He's tactically astute, his man-management is outstanding and the future is bright with him in charge.
READ NEXT:
