ERIK TEN HAG has gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure his managerial career would be a success.
The Dutchman, 53, helped spark a Red Devils revival – winning the League Cup, reaching the FA Cup final and qualifying for the Champions League in his first season.
The ex-Ajax chief is well known for his constant striving for perfection on the pitch, but he also demands it off it too.
Sjoerd Overgoor, who was managed by his countryman at Go Ahead Eagles, told Sky Sports: “He wanted the drinks put out in straight lines.
“Everything had to be perfect in his eyes. People needed time to get used to that. “
Ten Hag’s constant need for perfection was even felt by Go Ahead Eagles’ groundsmen.
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Overgoor recalled: “We had one man whose job it was to look after the pitch.
“Every day, Erik would be coming to him and saying that the grass had to be two millimetres or something like that.”
Ten Hag even had a window built into his office door so he could keep an extra eye on his players.
Overgoor said: “He put a window in his office door.
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“We were all saying to each other that he was doing that so he could see what we were doing.”
Ten Hag led Dutch minnows Go Ahead Eagles to their first promotion in 17 years during his solitary season at the De Adelaarshorst stadium.
Overgoor said of his brief reign: “That was a big difference for everyone at the club.
“He changed everything. Remember, this is not a big club in Holland.
“We did not have the best facilities but he made them the best.
“A lot of coaches come to clubs like Eagles and have the attitude that they have to deal with it.
“He did not deal with it. Instead, he made it better and better.”
United’s stars have already felt the force of Ten Hag’s n o-nonsense approach – once having to run nearly ten miles the day after a 4-0 loss to Brentford at the start of last season.
Cristiano Ronaldo was also frozen out by the coach and later sold after he refused to come on as a sub.
Ten Hag now enters his second season in charge at United, having led them to a third-place finish last season.
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He has completed the signing of Mason Mount but is still looking for at least a new keeper and centre forward.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
