David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: these Manchester United managers needed no introduction. But who exactly is Erik ten Hag, the man who beat the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers in the race to become Manchester United manager? And what can we expect from the new manager?

The first thing to note is that despite being a relatively new name on the managerial scene, Ten Hag is actually two years older than Pochettino and three older than Rodgers. He has only ever managed two top flight teams – Ajax and Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie. His playing career was limited to 336 games in the same league, for clubs such as Twente and De Graafschap. He was a centre back, retiring at 32 years of age having just one trophy – the KNVB Cup in 2000/01.

Not only does Pochettino have much more experience at the top level, but he was also reportedly the United squad’s choice to become next manager, although this may have worked against him. According to The Athletic, ‘sources say there were conversations, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that if Pochettino was who the players wanted then United should choose a different option. Staff expressed the conviction that player power had been an issue since Ferguson’s retirement. The players would not be consulted by United executives at any point in the process.’

Likewise, Ralf Rangnick was believed to have little input on the appointment, which was largely driven by John Murtough, Darren Fletcher and Richard Arnold, with Joel and Avram Glazer also conducting an interview on Zoom.

The appointment to what is probably the hardest job in world football – right now anyway – is almost purely based on Ten Hag’s success at Ajax, where he has just won his third successive league title, and to the style and philosophy of football with which he has achieved it. His sides play attacking, exciting football and he prioritises youth.

The Haaksbergen-born man first appeared on the elite football radar when he took his young Ajax side to the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League. Again, it was not just the achievement but the attractive style of play that got his side noticed and won the hearts of football fans across Europe.

Although the football seems to flow freely, behind the scenes is a meticulous attention to detail from a man who turned his back on a thriving family business, a leading real estate and financial services company in Enschede, to pursue his passion for football. Every interview you read with anyone who has worked with Ten Hag over the years seems to say the same thing: he is a man with strong opinions, a detail freak who wants every aspect and facet of training and matchday to be planned and practised until it is done with 100% efficiency.

The Athletic interviewed Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Steve McClaren, who became coach of Twente when Ten Hag was already installed as assistant.

‘“The day after I was appointed … he brought out this folder, and there were six weeks worth of pre-season training planned in there,”‘he said. ‘”Every minute of every day was laid out, from drinks sessions to warming down, to individual work. It was so detailed. I’d not seen anything like it before, and I’ve not seen anything like it since.”

“He would prepare meticulous game plans about the opposition … How we were going to press, how we were going to build up. I thought I knew football before, but going there and experiencing that… I knew nothing about football.”

“He could see things in the game that nobody else could see … I have to sit up in the stands to see the patterns of a game, but he could stand on the touchline. He always knew the answer to everything, how to change shape, change positions.”’

In his first job as manager, Ten Hag won promotion to the Eredivisie for Go Ahead Eagles and then became head coach of Bayern Munich’s reserve team, where he got to work alongside Pep Guardiola.

Ten Hag is also described by those who know him as calm and considered. Fans are unlikely to see fireworks at his press conferences as they did when the last Dutch incumbent, Van Gaal, attended them. He is also routinely described as obsessed with football.

He will almost certainly bring his assistant, Mitchell van der Gaag, with him to United. Talks are at an advanced stage. One man who won’t be joining him is Fred Rutten, his former coach at Twente and PSV. The Times claims that the 59-year-old has turned down his offer and is set to become Ruud van Nistelrooy’s deputy in Eindhoven.

A number of reports claim that Ten Hag is also pushing for McClaren to be brought back to Old Trafford as one of his team.  The Athletic seems to think this is likely to happen, saying ‘Ten Hag has proposed McClaren to United and proper discussions are set to take place.’ However, The Times claims United are reluctant to bring the Englishman back, claiming ‘The club have so far resisted Ten Hag’s attempt’ to bring him in.

Another familiar name that has been mentioned is Robin van Persie, but it is believed that this is now unlikely as he would probably fail to obtain a work permit. One way or another, though, it is understood that he wants at least one assistant with extensive Premier League experience.

As for players, little is known yet about who might be on Ten Hag’s wish list and which players at Old Trafford will feature in his plans. Barça’s Frenkie de Jong is grinding the most grain in the rumour mill (see Transfers section). Benfica striker Darwin Nunez has also been strongly linked with an Old Trafford move, but he is a target that may have been identified long before the manager’s appointment was made.

Donny van de Beek is one player who could feature strongly in Ten Hag’s plans. He was one of the stand-out stars of that 2019 Ajax team and if his old boss can find that formula again in the Premier League, Van de Beek could be like a new signing for the Red Devils next season.

How the United squad will cope with Ten Hag’s fierce attention to detail and strategic planning remains to be seen. It will be a culture shock for a squad whose tactics board was reportedly neglected for three years and painted over with motivational slogans by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The interim experience with Ralf Rangnick may have prepared them but a lot will need to be learned, and bad habits unlearned.

How Ten Hag himself will cope with the demands of one of the highest profile jobs in world football, with the decision-making process at Old Trafford and with the constant media and social media attention also remains to be seen. Interesting times are undoubtedly ahead.