Erik ten Hag was appointed Manchester United manager ahead of Mauricio Pochettino because he was “most closely aligned with the club’s identity.”
John Murtough, United’s football director, has spoken out on the choice to hire the Dutchman, who beat over a slew of other great managers to earn the job.
Pochettino is said to have been his main opponent for the job, with the Argentine also interested in a transfer to Old Trafford. United, on the other hand, chose former Ajax coach Ten Hag, who was introduced this week.
Murtough said the incoming manager laid forth a “long-term vision to build a successful, exciting team,” with “clarity and confidence” during thorough discussions.
He was also a “proven winner,” according to him, who added, “He showed passion, energy, and enthusiasm for the challenge.”
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, Ten Hag has been tasked with restoring United to the top of English football after nearly a decade of failure.
Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren have been named as his assistant coaches, and United has made a slew of behind-the-scenes changes in an attempt to reform their recruitment approach.
“It’s all about making sure we are creating the right environment and culture in which players can perform to their maximum potential.” Murtough says of the plans to renovate the training field.
