New Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag said he has no plans to change his coaching style and will not hesitate to confront under-performing players when he takes over at Old Trafford in his first role in the Premier League.
United unveiled the Ajax coach as their next manager, having signed a three-year deal that runs until June 2025 with an option for a one-year extension. Ten Hag replaces interim manager Ralf Rangnick after the end of this season.
Old Trafford is a world away from Eredivisie, with United's dressing room full of global superstars. However, Ten Hag said the popularity of the players will not impact his style.
"I will not change my view on coaching," he told Dutch newspaper 'Trouw'. "The material always determines how you play, but I set the requirements that come with it and the standards.
"I tell who has what task and those who don’t meet it, will be told that, regardless of who it is. I make no concessions in that regard."
Ten Hag is the fifth permanent manager to be appointed by United since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. He follows David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer into the hot seat. Rangnick has been in interim charge since Solskjaer's sacking in November 2021.
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates with Diogo Jota after scoring the fourth goal in the 4-0 rout of Manchester United at Anfield on April 19. AP -
Luis Diaz scores the first goal past David de Gea. EPA -
Luis Diaz celebrates after scoring. AFP -
Mohamed Salah scores Liverpool's second. PA -
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Reuters -
Liverpool's Alisson celebrates after Mohamed Salah scored their second goal. Reuters -
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring Liverpool's third goal. PA -
Sadio Mane scores the third goal. Getty -
Mane celebrates with Luis Diaz. Getty -
Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring Liverpool's fourth goal. AFP -
Salah scores the fourth goal whilst under pressure from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Getty -
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the fourth goal. Getty -
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after the match. Reuters
Another area of management that Ten Hag said is non-negotiable is having a major say in transfers, stating that it was a condition for him taking the job.
"I am ultimately responsible and accountable for the results. I don't want to be the sole ruler, I stand for cooperation, but control in transfers is a condition for me," he said.
However, Ten Hag, 52, stated that any criticism of players will remain behind closed doors and that he will look to support his team when in public.
"I definitely protect people outwardly. Internally, it can be different if someone has crossed a line. Ultimately, it is top sport. You have to be able to trust each other, otherwise you can't get results.
"If my protective attitude comes at the expense of myself, so be it. I am the manager, the leader, I do that in the interest of getting results."
Ten Hag will face a huge task next season to revive United after a fifth consecutive trophyless campaign.
He is on course to win his third league title with Ajax and took the Dutch club to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 for the first time in 22 years.
