‘Complex but cool’: what Erik ten Hag can bring to Manchester United

Erik ten Hag, the Ajax coach targeted by Manchester United, has a reputation as a control freak. He analyses opponents from head to toe, even if he already played against them twice in the season. He sends his players video clips of opponents, provides tips and is in constant conversation with them, even about which newspapers they should read or what time they should be in bed.

He imposes strict rules. When he began his coaching career at youth level, Ten Hag immediately shortened his pupils’ holidays: whoever dared come back too late had a problem.

But the lines of communication always remain open, including those players considered “difficult”, such as Eljero Elia, Marko Arnautovic and Hakim Ziyech. He spends an endless amount of time with them, immerses himself in their culture and continues to send encouraging messages after their paths have parted. But there are no exceptions made, no privileges for anyone.

If there are tough strictures off the field, however, there is plenty of room for creativity on it. Ajax’s right-back NoussairMazraoui regularly pops up in the central striker position, the left-back DaleyBlind is a false 10 and the right-winger StevenBerghuis has been transformed into an all-rounder in midfield. The central defender JurriënTimber and the goalkeeper AndréOnana cut out opponents with ease.

But the distances between players must be accurate to the millimetre when losing the ball. The defence and midfield must almost be able to smell each other and attackers lead the way in retaking the ball, even if that is the Champions League’s second-highest scorer this season, Sébastien Haller, the Serbia captain, Dusan Tadic, or the Brazilian international Antony.

The 52-year-old Ten Hag lives for football