As he chases a third Dutch double in the space of four years with Ajax, Erik ten Hag knows he is about to swap domination in Holland for an altogether less stable environment at Manchester United.
Gary Neville described his old club as ‘a graveyard for reputations’ this week, and recent history suggests that Ten Hag should make the most of Sunday’s cup final against title rivals PSV Eindhoven because it might be his last for a while.
In many ways, Ajax are the polar opposite of the modern-day Manchester United: a well-run club with a defined structure, clear identity and a winning team.
Sportsmail looks at the challenges facing Ten Hag as he prepares to become the fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to try to restore United to their former glory.
Erik ten Hag has verbally agreed to take over as Manchester United manager in the summer
Manage the big egos
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arm-around-the-shoulder approach ultimately didn’t work, and Ralf Rangnick has been undermined from the start by his interim role.
Previously, United had two powerful figureheads in Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, and there is already concern among United staff over another Dutch manager, such is the legacy of Van Gaal’s authoritarian regime.
Ten Hag is a skilled tactician who is known more for his attention to detail than his man-management capabilities.
But this is a club crying out for strong leadership and a clear ethos on and off the field under a manager who has the full backing of his employers to get it right.
Big egos will be a challenge for the Dutchman after working with a largely young squad at Ajax
A major rebuilding job is required at Old Trafford and it will be fascinating to see how Ten Hag handles the big personalities who remain next season given that he has worked with a largely young squad at Ajax.
Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart has no doubt that his compatriot will crack the whip, saying: ‘These players can’t have any excuses any more. They…