A look at how Manchester United took Pep Guardiola’s advice and signed Erik ten Hag

In an interview earlier this month, Guardiola stated that he would not hesitate to sign Erik ten Hag if he was in charge of transfers at Manchester United. So did Manchester United take Guardiola’s advice to appoint Erik ten Hag?

Manchester United have confirmed Erik ten Hag as their next permanent manager. He has signed a three-year deal and will start at the beginning of next season. 

Ajax’s management expects him to join United this summer, and rumors in the last 24 hours suggest that a deal is now extremely close to being completed. 

The Dutchman has been a popular candidate among supporters in the club’s quest for a new manager in recent months, so his forthcoming appointment is expected to be well received. 

Ten Hag has placed Ajax back on the map, at least in Europe, since taking over the club in December 2017. In 2019, they advanced to the competition’s semi-finals, and earlier this season, they thrashed Borussia Dortmund twice in the group stages. 

As a result, it’s no surprise that Ten Hag has received such high praise from top managers around Europe, notably Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. During Ten Hag’s time at Bayern Munich, he worked with the Catalan and left an effect on the City manager. 

Guardiola, speaking earlier this month, said: “We chatted on a regular basis, and he is an amazing person and human being. I was taken aback by his humility. 

“Take a look at his Ajax team in recent years to see his skills. It’s a lot of fun to see. Not just the year they reached the Champions League semi-finals, but in a slew of other games as well. 

“Take a look at his teams for examples of traits. Keep a close eye on a manager’s team for a long time to determine who he is. This is a team, and the manager is the one who makes the players perform. 

“That is without a doubt the case. I’d contact Manchester United and say, “Guys, you have to take him,” if I was certain, but no one knows.” 

Guardiola isn’t the only high-profile Premier League manager who has praised Ten Hag. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised the 52-year-qualities old’s back in 2020, calling him a “exciting talent” in management. 

“Because of his work at Ajax, Erik is deservedly considered as one of the most interesting coaching talents in world football at the moment,” Klopp remarked in December 2020. “Of course, it’s a fantastic club – one of Europe’s most illustrious – but at the moment, it’s evident that they have tremendous organizational leadership, and Erik is a huge part of it. 

“After losing a few key players to other clubs in recent seasons, they’ve had to adapt. I recall how that feels and what a challenge it is from my own experience at Dortmund. 

“It’s remarkable how they handle it. The team’s foundations are still strong, and they’ve done a good job recruiting. 

“They have a distinct personality. I have to say, I enjoy seeing them.”

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