Erik ten Hag will enter a very different world at Manchester United than at Ajax, Rio Ferdinand expects. The club icon of the Red Devils warns the possible new trainer of Ajax about the pressure associated with the trainer position at Old Trafford. In his own podcast FIVE says Ferdinand to ‘take his hat off’ to Ten Hag. “Because this is a risk”, Ferdinand looks ahead.
After Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, many managers have been ‘spit out’ at Manchester United, says the former defender. “Ten Hag has a good reputation. He is appreciated and seen as a very good trainer. He puts that reputation on the line,” Ferdinand knows. “I think everyone understands that it will be a tough job. We have seen many managers with much more experience, who had won much more prizes than Ten Hag. They came in here and were spat out. And the players are still there. the same.”
Ferdinand expects Ten Hag to gather information and perhaps ask fellow countrymen for his technical staff. “I think he will talk to people like René Meulensteen, Jaap Stam, Robin van Persie and Edwin van der Sar about Manchester United and what awaits him once he steps in. He will also have to deal with players who demand that he will make it a successful team. Manchester United need a new culture, but also sustainable success. You need someone to push you to the top.”
Manchester United are currently seventh in the Premier League. A national title is, according to Ferdinand, far out of sight for the time being. “I don’t see anyone else than Liverpool or Manchester City winning the Premier League as long as Jurgen Klopp and Josep Guardiola work there. They are too far removed from the rest. But if one of the two were to leave, which I didn’t expect, it would be Manchester United.” not ready to jump into the hole. We don’t have the foundation for that. The trainer needs time to build,” emphasizes Ferdinand.
According to Ferdinand, Ten Hag benefits from his experience as a coach of the second team of Bayern Munich, when Guardiola led the first team. “It’s important that he has been close to big players and seen how they were treated by Pep.” The club icon is curious about the purchase policy of the Dutchman. “Attracting a player for Ajax is very different from for Manchester United. The expectations, the pressure … Can the players bring what is demanded at Manchester United? With all due respect to Ajax, but different things are demanded here. Ajax is demanded a lot in its own country, but if you make a mistake at Manchester United, it is world news.”