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Erik ten Hag reportedly has done his homework before taking up the Manchester United job

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Its yet to be official, but Ajax’s Erik ten Hag has taken up the most difficult job in the world right now. The job of Manchester United’s manager. After months of research, speculation and rounds of interviews, Manchester United have selected Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman’s time at Ajax has impressed the whole of footballing world, but his new chapter with United is going to be a lot more tricky.

However, Ten Hag seems to be the one who has done his homework. Ten Hag knows he is going to taken on the manager’s role at a club which has appointed 4 different managers since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. As a result, Ten Hag reportedly researched the stints of his predecessors at Manchester United. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were the subjects to Ten Hag’s studies before accepting the United job.

Ten Hag studies the managers of Manchester United post SAF-era: David Moyes

David Moyes, currently at West Ham United was the first one hired after Sir Alex Ferguson left. Though it seemed an interesting appointment, Moyes didn’t enjoy his time in charge. The Scot managed a mere 51 games for United, spanning just over 10 months.

For the record, Moyes won 26 games as United’s boss out of the 51 managed. However, his 11 losses in the league were the reason United missed out on the the Champions League. United finished with no silverware and a 7th position in table that season. His only highlight at United was when the Red Devils went unbeaten for 12 games in all competitions. However, certainly not the way Ten Hag would want to go down at Manchester United.

Louis van Gaal

Erik Ten Hag’s fellow countryman, Louis van Gaal was the next one in. After lot of rumours made the rounds that Jurgen Klopp was going to be appointed next, Van Gaal was the one who came through the door. Louis Van Gaal took Holland to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2014. The Dutchman had already impressed with his style, and continued to do so at United.

Van Gaal’s United journey spanned through a massive 103 games. Moreover, he added a FA Cup as well to United’s trophy cabinet in 2016. However, his regular fall-outs with many of the United players made the news all the time.

Jose Mourinho

All the antiques and quotes flash immediately when Mourinho and United are in the same sentence. One of the most unexpected appointments in the history of the games. Mourinho suddenly upped the level at United, winning the League Cup and Europa League in his first season in charge.

Just when everybody thought United were back as the title challengers, Mourinho’s fall-out as well with the star-studded United team cost him his job. But his win percentage of 58.3% as the United manager is still the highest one in post SAF-era. Mourinho managed 144 games for United, winning a massive 84 out of them.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

A former Man United player, Solskjaer came out of nowhere to take on the caretaker job at the club after Mourinho’s sacking. However, none of that happened after his permanent appointment in 2019.

Moreover, Solskjaer is the one who enjoyed the most lucrative signings till now among others in this list. Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho were at Ole’s disposal, yet he failed to deliver. As a result, he became the fourth victim. Solskjaer got the sack in November last year, after standing on the touchline for 149 games as United’s permanent manager. His record stands at 78 wins and 38 losses, with not trophies won.

Ten Hag would have certainly gotten an idea of the Manchester United job after the research. The Red Devils are yet to win a trophy since 2016-17, and Ten Hag is expected to turn things around.

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