INCOMING Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been compared to Jose Mourinho in his prime.
After months of speculation, Ten Hag, 52, has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with United to become the club’s new manager this summer.
The Ajax head coach was given the nod for the job ahead of player’s favourite Mauricio Pochettino.
And the Red Devils have made the right choice according to former Liverpool stopper Sander Westerveld who reckons Ten Hag is like Mourinho in his prime.
Westerveld, who made 103 appearances for the Reds, claimed that Ten Hag will be perfect for United as he changes teams like a young Mourinho did.
He also believes the Dutchman can make a similar impact at Old Trafford like Jurgen Klopp has done with Liverpool, and rival Manchester City’s success under Pep Guardiola.
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Westerveld told Sky Sports, relayed by the Express: “Well I’m not sure. He is a fit for Man United and he will be the perfect coach for Man United because he is a quality coach.
“He is a different coach, he’s not a coach that coaches, he’s a coach that changes teams, like Klopp and Guardiola, and even Mourinho at his best time. So he will definitely change Man United.
“The only thing is it’s a difficult team at the moment, it’s a difficult club to manage at the moment.
“So hopefully he gets the time and if he gets the time and they give him the time, then he will be I think at the moment the best option for Man United.”
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The Red Devils are onto a winner if Westerveld’s claims about Ten Hag are true as Mourinho was a managerial mastermind at the pinnacle of his career.
In the early days as a boss, the Portuguese philosopher reigned supreme – winning 25 trophies thus far in his managerial career.
Mourinho’s stunning haul includes two Champions League trophies with FC Porto and Inter Milan.
Plus three Premier League titles with Chelsea and one FA Cup.
What makes Mourinho’s success more impressive is that he’s won a trophy in the first full season at every club he’s been with barring new club Roma who he joined last summer.
Although he can maintain the tradition if he wins the Europa Conference League with the Italian giants.
But United will be hoping Ten Hag’s reign with United doesn’t resemble Mourinho’s.
The Special one became the fallen one when he was sacked as Red Devils’ boss in 2018 despite winning three trophies in his 31-month reign.
One trait Mourinho and Ten Hag seem to share is their knack to snap at the press.
Ten Hag recently let rip on a reporter when pressed about his imminent switch to United.
The Ajax head coach’s outburst mirrored the many times Mourinho has flew off the handle throughout his turbulent relationship with the media.
In February, Mourinho displayed his fiery temper once again when he threatened to storm out of a press conference held by current club Roma when reporters asked about an issue between him and his players.