Erik Ten Hag: A Tactician Out of His Depth at Manchester United | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag’s managerial career is a tale of two halves. One of brilliance at Ajax, and one of disaster at Manchester United. While his tactical genius was undeniable in the Netherlands, his time in England exposed him as a man completely out of his depth. From questionable squad decisions to a failure to establish any sort of consistency, his tenure at Old Trafford turned from hopeful to humiliating in record time. Althought, we still have to see how far Amorim can make.

The Rise as Ajax’s Mastermind

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Ten Hag made his name at Ajax, where he built a fearless, dynamic side that played high-intensity football. His 2018-19 Champions League run was the stuff of dreams, knocking out Real Madrid and Juventus before falling heartbreakingly to Tottenham in the semifinals. He cultivated young talents like Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Donny van de Beek, showing his ability to develop players into world-class stars.

Domestically, Ajax dominated under his leadership, winning multiple Eredivisie titles and playing some of the most attractive football in Europe. His meticulous approach and strict tactical structure made Ajax a powerhouse in Dutch football. But in hindsight, was it truly his genius, or did he simply benefit from an excellent generation of players in a league where Ajax naturally outshines most teams?

The Manchester United Disaster

PORTO, PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 03: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between FC Porto and Manchester United at Estadio do Dragao on October 03, 2024 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

When Ten Hag took over Manchester United in 2022, expectations were high. His first season provided some hope. A third-place finish in the Premier League and an EFL Cup win. United fans finally thought they had found a manager who could restore the club to its former glory.

Then came the 2023-24 season, and everything unraveled spectacularly.

Tactical Stubbornness and Poor Squad Management

Ten Hag quickly proved himself incapable of adapting to the Premier League. His rigid tactics, which worked so well at Ajax, were completely ineffective in England. Opponents figured out his predictable possession-based style, exposing the lack of defensive stability and attacking fluidity in his system.

His team selections baffled everyone. He spent £85 million on Antony(his former Ajax protégé) only for the Brazilian to deliver one of the worst seasons in United’s history. Jadon Sancho was exiled due to a personal fallout, and the handling of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure only added to the turmoil in the dressing room.

Transfer Market Failures

United’s recruitment under Ten Hag was an absolute disaster. His insistence on signing players he worked with at Ajax led to a squad filled with overpriced flops.

Despite spending over £400 million, United still lacked a clear playing identity, and the squad was no better than it was before his arrival.

Worst Season in Premier League History

By the end of the 2023-24 season, Manchester United finished eighth. Their lowest league position since 1990. The team suffered humiliating defeats, including a 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool, a 4-0 embarrassment against Brentford, and a string of losses that showcased just how clueless Ten Hag had become.

Their Champions League campaign? A complete disaster. United finished rock bottom of their group, eliminated before Christmas in a group they should have navigated with ease.

Dressing Room Chaos and Fan Outrage

Beyond the tactical failures, Ten Hag completely lost the dressing room. His man-management was woeful. Sancho, Rashford, and Varane all had issues with him. His press conferences became an exercise in excuse-making. Blaming injuries, referees, and bad luck instead of acknowledging his own tactical ineptitude.

By the time Manchester United slumped to 14th place in the 2024-25 season, it was clear he had to go. His 2-1 defeat to West Ham in October 2024 was the final straw, and he was sacked unceremoniously, leaving the club in a worse state than he found it.

The Aftermath: A Legacy of Failure

Erik ten Hag will go down as one of Manchester United’s most disappointing managers. His Ajax success masked his limitations, and once exposed to the brutal reality of the Premier League, he crumbled. His inability to adapt, poor recruitment, and complete loss of control over the squad turned his tenure into a train wreck.

While he may still find success elsewhere, his time at United was a lesson in the dangers of overhyping a manager based on one good spell in a weaker league. The “Ajax genius” proved to be nothing more than another name on Manchester United’s growing list of managerial failures.