Erik ten Hag - Ajax Manager

[Nordmore]

English teams are still winning the lead in Africa, english language helps, same goes for Asia.
When you want to promote a product worldwide you use english, not german, italian, or spanish.

French league is far from being the best league, which is why the league is less popular in french-speaking African countries.

It was about time for EPL to dominate the comercial world, Serie A, Bundesliga, and La Liga (outside of LatinAmerica) could have never competed with the fact that english language is learnt as second language in most countries around the world.

Back in the 90s most people watched Serie A despite not speaking or understanding Italian you know. Football is an universal language itself. People simply watch the best league and now the PL is the best league.

The PL dominated the football world partly thanked to their smart strategy but mostly because the PL have the best players and was the most competitive league I think. And the money went dry in Italy. Tbh I don't see that have anything to do with English. It's not like I'd need to speak English to understand wth is going on in the game.

 

[Wolf1992]

Back in the 90s most people watched Serie A despite not speaking or understanding Italian you know. Football is an universal language itself. People simply watch the best league and now the PL is the best league.

The PL dominated the football world partly thanked to their smart strategy but mostly because the PL have the best players and was the most competitive league I think. And the money went dry in Italy. Tbh I don't see that have anything to do with English. It's not like I'd need to speak English to understand wth is going on in the game.

Not many had cable TV to watch Serie A in the 90s.
In my country, only people from certain upper-class neighborhoods in 2-3 cities could get cable TV to watch Serie A matches.
Totally opposite as the situation today, where almost everyone have cable TV, even in small cities and poor neighborhoods.

The coverage that Serie A had in the 90s is nowhere near close as what PL has nowadays, it was a way less globalized world.

 

[Amadaeus]

Well shit. Pack it up boys and leave. It's not like United pipped City to their signings on numerous ocassions or anything

I am a fan of ETH. Heck, I was one of the first if you read the first pages on this thread, when other didnt even rate him. But, I am just trying to be realistic. Even though, I would like ETH here, the chances are higher that he will go to city, if pep leaves. The only way I see that changing is if pep stays another season or Manchester city aren't interested in ETH.

 

[Pronewbie]

Back in the 90s most people watched Serie A despite not speaking or understanding Italian you know. Football is an universal language itself. People simply watch the best league and now the PL is the best league.

The PL dominated the football world partly thanked to their smart strategy but mostly because the PL have the best players and was the most competitive league I think. And the money went dry in Italy. Tbh I don't see that have anything to do with English. It's not like I'd need to speak English to understand wth is going on in the game.

Despite having the best players the Serie A was still behind the PL in revenue. Colonial influence, and the willingness to adapt to local markets are big reasons for that. However, if English weren't important for marketing and selling a product then coverage of the other leagues would have continued to be in Italian, German etc.

The English language is Old Britain's gift to the world - a universal language the world can fall back on for commerce and trade - and they continue to use it to their advantage.

 

[TheRedHearted]

Not sure why fans on here are still hanging onto hope of us getting Ten Hag. Isnt Ten Hag being Represented by the same agency as pep brother Pere? It is a no brainer that if pep leave Manchester city, ETH is going there unless Manchester city favors another manager.

Surely they can’t have two bald managers in a row? I believe that’s agains the FA rules of conduct

 

[Bebestation]

Would going to City straight after a manager like Pep be an intelligent move for a manager like Ten Hag in a new league and environment?

It's not like Pep will get sacked either, he will just ask for a year or two break as he decides on his next club.

 

[Caesar2290]

Would going to City straight after a manager like Pep be an intelligent move for a manager like Ten Hag in a new league and environment?

It's not like Pep will get sacked either, he will just ask for a year or two break as he decides on his next club.

Succeeding Pep at City would be exactly the same as succeeding SAF at United. I think City are eyeing Enrique as Pep's replacement. ETH is more like a back up.

 

[Silverman]

I think Ten Hag is the man for United.
Good football but more importantly, a big personality. He's not shy of confidence.

 

[Hammondo]

Why did Klopp go to Liverpool?

I dunno, best offer he had?

 

[WButlerMU]

I don't know which club Ten Haag will go to, but I think this is his last year at Ajax where his career reached a high point. This specialist clearly deserves something more than the Dutch league.

 

[Hammondo]

Brilliant.

We're one of the biggest clubs in the world and we make a shitload of money, a shitload of money that is made available for squad investments depending on the wishes of the manager, managers whom we also pay a shitload of money. It's not exactly a poor combination, it really isn't. Fact is that the club still has a huge pull, which is unlikely to simply go away within a short period of not being successful. Managers and players grew up with Manchester United being a dominant team. Manchester City could cease to exist tomorrow and 10 years from now they'd be forgotten.

Being given the chance to bring success back to a club the size of Manchester United is hardly an unpleasant scenario.

True but all I am saying is there are other clubs with more money and better players. He would need to completely rebuild here. There are plenty of clubs with better footballing philosophies.

If City wanted him he would be there in a flash.

The biggest positive for us is that the La Liga teams are broke.

 

[captaincantona]

I like that he has worked with Pep up close and has not just tried to replicate what he saw. I do think he will be a great coach for someone but it makes far too much sense for us to make this appointment. We will probably stick with RR.

 

[Telsim]

Kind of beating a dead horse here by this point. We will have our answer in a couple of months. I just hope it's the right one.

 

[bosskeano]

He obviously wouldn't guarantee success in the league right away because it would take time to implement his system of play especially if we don't have the players to do it.

however....i think you'd see him bring some decent football back to Old Trafford on a more regular basis than what we see now which might be only for one half of a match or a 30 minute spell yet somehow we pull out the 3 points.

i think we're all just begging for a guy that puts a system and style of play in place that we can recognize and get behind

 

[romufc]

He obviously wouldn't guarantee success in the league right away because it would take time to implement his system of play especially if we don't have the players to do it.

however....i think you'd see him bring some decent football back to Old Trafford on a more regular basis than what we see now which might be only for one half of a match or a 30 minute spell yet somehow we pull out the 3 points.

i think we're all just begging for a guy that puts a system and style of play in place that we can recognize and get behind

I just want something consistent. Been way too long where I actually don't know what United will turn up.

We see glimpses of what we could do for 20 mins in the odd game which gives us hope, which is then sorrow when the game comes round.

Our football in the last 18 months has been torrid, if ETH can come in and implement a brand of football that is consistent, its definitely something I can get behind.

 

[Telsim]

He obviously wouldn't guarantee success in the league right away because it would take time to implement his system of play especially if we don't have the players to do it.

however....i think you'd see him bring some decent football back to Old Trafford on a more regular basis than what we see now which might be only for one half of a match or a 30 minute spell yet somehow we pull out the 3 points.

i think we're all just begging for a guy that puts a system and style of play in place that we can recognize and get behind

Watch this knee-jerk fan base and the useless media call him a failure and want him sacked after the first three losses.

 

[bosskeano]

I just want something consistent. Been way too long where I actually don't know what United will turn up.

We see glimpses of what we could do for 20 mins in the odd game which gives us hope, which is then sorrow when the game comes round.

Our football in the last 18 months has been torrid, if ETH can come in and implement a brand of football that is consistent, its definitely something I can get behind.

Watch this knee-jerk fan base and the useless media call him a failure and want him sacked after the first three losses.

funny how these two answers pretty much sum up the entire mood around the club right now

we want someone that can come in who's going to give us something more than just 20 odd minutes of decent football and start getting us off our feet again only to have a bad patch which leads to shouts for wanting him sacked

 

[L1nk]

He is the clear and obvious choice if we can get him, he ticks every box and then some. But i'm sure this will mean we'll go with Pochettino or something. Pochettino will be kicking himself though, he may eventually get it but he basically had this job nailed on at multiple points and never got it, now that ship may have sailed. I'd still take him but no way would I take him over ETH. This is the guy we need, if he can bring some players like Gravenberch with him I would be as happy as i've been with the club for a long ass time

 

[Rozay]

Might be a bit if a stretch but I feel that United’s effective imprisonment of Van de Beek may be partly based upon a favouring of Ten Hag in the summer. The refusal to entertain his sale is baffling considering the refusal to entertain him getting on a football pitch.

 

[Harry190]

Back in the 90s most people watched Serie A despite not speaking or understanding Italian you know. Football is an universal language itself. People simply watch the best league and now the PL is the best league.

The PL dominated the football world partly thanked to their smart strategy but mostly because the PL have the best players and was the most competitive league I think. And the money went dry in Italy. Tbh I don't see that have anything to do with English. It's not like I'd need to speak English to understand wth is going on in the game.

It was the Commonwealth. People weren't watching Serie A in the Southern hemisphere. Their hegemon didn't extend far enough.

 

[NewYorkRed]

He is the clear and obvious choice if we can get him, he ticks every box and then some. But i'm sure this will mean we'll go with Pochettino or something. Pochettino will be kicking himself though, he may eventually get it but he basically had this job nailed on at multiple points and never got it, now that ship may have sailed. I'd still take him but no way would I take him over ETH. This is the guy we need, if he can bring some players like Gravenberch with him I would be as happy as i've been with the club for a long ass time

I’d be happy with either or to be honest. ETH seems compelling but there is the fear of the unknown with him. Poch we know is good in the EPL, with a relatively non-existant budget at Spurs. So yeah, I’d be happy with either.

 

[Teja]

Back in the 90s most people watched Serie A despite not speaking or understanding Italian you know. Football is an universal language itself. People simply watch the best league and now the PL is the best league.

The PL dominated the football world partly thanked to their smart strategy but mostly because the PL have the best players and was the most competitive league I think. And the money went dry in Italy. Tbh I don't see that have anything to do with English. It's not like I'd need to speak English to understand wth is going on in the game.

Something to be said about the spectacle as well.. people don't really like perfectly optimized, dry, tactical games that the Italians offer up. Controlled chaos english style - tackles flying in, game being stretched and end to end is a lot more entertaining. And yeah like someone else said, English is a pretty big deal - interviews, post match etc. all being in English is a great boost to the PL.

Anyway, back on topic, I personally like how the conversation has moved on from he's only doing it at Ajax in the farmers league to he's too good, he'll never come here. Promising signs. I hope the board comes to the same conclusion and actually rolls out the red carpet for him instead of fecking around for too long.

 

[simonhch]

Might be a bit if a stretch but I feel that United’s effective imprisonment of Van de Beek may be partly based upon a favouring of Ten Hag in the summer. The refusal to entertain his sale is baffling considering the refusal to entertain him getting on a football pitch.

It is bizarre but I feel your assessment is too optimistic. I think they don’t trust him to start but also know if Fred or McT go down to a serious injury, we are desperately short of cover.

I would love to assume it’s because of ETH.

 

[Wolf1992]

It was the Commonwealth. People weren't watching Serie A in the Southern hemisphere. Their hegemon didn't extend far enough.

Agree.

90s wasn't a fully globalized world yet, not many had internet and cable TV.

90s Serie A never enjoyed the TV money of a fully globalized world...and when the full globalization came in, Calciopoli and italian economic crisis fecked up Serie A massively.

 

[simonhch]

Good analysis on him by an ajax fan. Tactically solid coach who is flexible with his formation. His lack of trust on squad players is one of his weakness.

Also fair to assume that Ajax cannot afford much quality in depth. That wouldn't be such an issue at a club with more extensive resources.

 

[Nobby style]

It was the Commonwealth. People weren't watching Serie A in the Southern hemisphere. Their hegemon didn't extend far enough.

Oh yes we were, every weekend.

 

[Harry190]

Oh yes we were, every weekend.

Where?

 

[Kaos]

Might be a bit if a stretch but I feel that United’s effective imprisonment of Van de Beek may be partly based upon a favouring of Ten Hag in the summer. The refusal to entertain his sale is baffling considering the refusal to entertain him getting on a football pitch.

If that were the case we still could have loaned him out to some other club in the PL for some game time, and had him back in time for the new manager. There's also no guarantee Ten Hag would consider him good enough at this level (playing for Ajax in the Dutch league is a different level together, no disrespect to them).

Its a nice thought, but honestly Donny's situation is more down to our typically poor handling of players IMO.

 

[United in sin]

It was the Commonwealth. People weren't watching Serie A in the Southern hemisphere. Their hegemon didn't extend far enough.

They were though. England dominated coverage in the 90s in the Commonwealth but After WC 94 coverage of serie A and Champions league grew exponentially thanks to Supersport (a popular South African sports channel that has amazing sports coverage across Africa).

AC Milan was one of the most watched European clubs in Africa after 95, after Weah signed. Milan won a lot of fans around that time

 

[Terranova]

Also fair to assume that Ajax cannot afford much quality in depth. That wouldn't be such an issue at a club with more extensive resources.

That's not fair to assume. Ajax is rather rich especially for the competition and level they are at. But instead of going for ageing players they tend to go for younger talented players. A thing we should do here as well.
Ten Hag really has a problem with squad rotation, players like Rensch, who's a very young and talented defender and already played for the Dutch NT, barely get minutes unless there's an injury.

Ajax has a lot of players that have the required level to play for Ajax, but Ten Hag almost always favors the same XI. "Permanent" changes in that XI only happen due to injuries. Players like Dest, Mazraoui, Timber and most recently Berghuis were never going to play until there were injuries. They never got out of the lineup after that. Dest even was sold to Barcelona.

The problem with Ten Hag is that whenever there are injuries the whole thing kinda falls apart. Sure Ajax still plays well enough to win most matches, but it's a steep decline nonetheless .
That said, his Plan A is absolutely fantastic

 

[mu4c_20le]

Ajax has a lot of players that have the required level to play for Ajax, but Ten Hag almost always favors the same XI. "Permanent" changes in that XI only happen due to injuries.

I can see that being popular with our fans. Nailed on he is going to stick with McFred if he comes here

 

[Rozay]

If that were the case we still could have loaned him out to some other club in the PL for some game time, and had him back in time for the new manager. There's also no guarantee Ten Hag would consider him good enough at this level (playing for Ajax in the Dutch league is a different level together, no disrespect to them).

Its a nice thought, but honestly Donny's situation is more down to our typically poor handling of players IMO.

Reports have suggested that we are willing to loan him out, but not looking to sell this month and would rather the new manager make the decision in the summer.

 

[Terranova]

I can see that being popular with our fans. Nailed on he is going to stick with McFred if he comes here

but i also said that his Plan A is fantastic. McFred wouldn't be allowed in a 10 mile radius of that Plan A

 

[Graveyard]

It's what a tier 1 outlet said about why Spurs didn't take ETH. Then again, like I said, it could be that ETH snubbed them and they just used that excuse to save face.

Not tier 1 on spurs. And I've been told Telegraaf is mostly nonsense anyways.

 

[Cheimoon]

Not tier 1 on spurs. And I've been told Telegraaf is mostly nonsense anyways.

To my knowledge, De Telegraaf is very good for football reporting.

I wouldn't want to ever read any other parts of that newspaper, but that's another story.

 

[United in sin]

but i also said that his Plan A is fantastic. McFred wouldn't be allowed in a 10 mile radius of that Plan A

Things can swiftly change at different clubs. I never thought Rangknick would be so taken in with McTominay for instance. I also thought LVG would get rid of Fellaini

 

[romufc]

but i also said that his Plan A is fantastic. McFred wouldn't be allowed in a 10 mile radius of that Plan A

You called out Ole, are you going to call out Ralf for not playing Donny and using McFred?

Are you saying Ralf too has no tactical knowledge ?

"without any tactical knowledge to get anything out of players that actually know how to play football instead of kick&rush"

 

[Nobby style]

Where?

In Colombia for sure. Fox Sports Latin America was showing Serie A in in the 90s, so I'm sure Argentina, Chile, Uruguay etc were getting it, and Brazil as well. Plus, for example, while Asprilla was playing for Parma, we were getting all his Serie A matches. I'm sure other countries, especially Argentina, had special arrangements to see matches where their stars were playing also. Plus, all the sports center type shows in every South American would give massive coverage to Serie A as all these countries had their best players playing in Italy.

 

[Harry190]

In Colombia for sure. Fox Sports Latin America was showing Serie A in in the 90s, so I'm sure Argentina, Chile, Uruguay etc were getting it, and Brazil as well. Plus, for example, while Asprilla was playing for Parma, we were getting all his Serie A matches. I'm sure other countries, especially Argentina, had special arrangements to see matches where their stars were playing also. Plus, all the sports center type shows in every South American would give massive coverage to Serie A as all these countries had their best players playing in Italy.

Was that free-to-air or paid? The PL was on national tv.

 

[Terranova]

You called out Ole, are you going to call out Ralf for not playing Donny and using McFred?

Are you saying Ralf too has no tactical knowledge ?

"without any tactical knowledge to get anything out of players that actually know how to play football instead of kick&rush"

i already did. Ralf is a step in the right direction, but he still didn't convince me. That said as a Dutchman and an Ajax fan, i kinda dislike any thing other than 4-3-3 or 4-3-3 based tactics like 4-2-3-1.
4-3-3 is still the best way to play football, no wonder that the best teams in the world still use tactics based on Total Football. Modernized versions of course, like ETH is playing with Ajax or like Pep is doing at City.