"Manchester United are delighted to announce the appointment of Erik Ten Hag as first-team coach," write the Red Devils, adding that the 52-year-old has signed up until 2025, with a optional additional season.
After the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the end of November, Manchester had appointed Ralf Rangnick for the end of the season and to give themselves time to choose their new coach, the German then having to take up an advisory position with the club.
Paris SG coach Mauricio Pochettino, a long-time Red Devils target, has long seemed to hold the line, not least because of his Premier League experience with Southampton and Tottenham.
But Ten Hag would have made the difference during an audition conducted by the English club during which he impressed the management with his vision for the club at 5 years old and his uncompromising diagnosis, the English press reported at the end of March.
Twice champion, and maybe soon three, with Ajax, which he took to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019, Ten Hag is known for his attention to detail and his ability to turn matches around. tactical changes.
"During his four seasons at Ajax, Erik proved to be one of the most exciting and successful managers in Europe, (he is) known for the fun game and attack of its teams and its commitment in favor of the young players", commented John Murtough, the director of football of Man Utd.
He is also renowned for his great calm and his protectiveness towards his players, unlike his compatriot Louis van Gaal or José Mourinho, who recently joined the bench at Old Trafford.
© 2022 AFP