United’s new assistant also gave details of preparations for Ten Hag (Photos: Getty / YouTube)
Manchester United’s new assistant Steve McClaren has compared Erik ten Hag’s drive and focus to legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson and has provided an interesting insight into the Dutchman’s preparations since taking over.
The former Ajax coach was announced as United’s new coach in late April, but had to wait until the end of the Eredivisie season before focusing on transforming his fortune into Old Trafford.
McClaren’s appointment was only confirmed on Monday, but the former England coach, with whom Ten Hag worked at Twente, has been planning the new season alongside the Dutchman over the past week and already sees similarities with the former chief Sir Alex.
McClaren joins Ten Hag and Mitchell van der Gaag to watch United lose to Crystal Palace in Selhurst Park (Image: Getty)
Speaking to her son, Josh, on the McClaren Performance podcast, said: “The last seven days have been all about paying attention to detail, all the details, all the planning, that you want to do well.
“And that’s from the day after winning the championship with Ajax, it goes to the next one, a bit like Sir Alex Ferguson did. But we just want to support Erik and make him successful and, if he is, the team is “.
To shed light on the meetings and planning sessions that took place last week, McClaren continued: “It was the worst kept secret, but it wasn’t really confirmed until last week when Erik and Ajax finally they won the league, then we held the meetings the day after the championship, and it became official.
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“And then we basically got to work, Erik finished his last game, he came to London last week where I met him and Mitchell. [van der Gaag] and John Murtough and I spent five days together, six days included yesterday with the press, and seven included today, so we spent the last week [working].
“As I’ve always said about Erik, work ethic and attention to detail has just been exemplified in the last seven days when he has met virtually every staff member with whom he will work very closely and has worked in detail, the plan, what is the work of each.
“It ‘s like going back in time 10 years ago when I first met him [when they were at Twente together] and everything was mapped, and again this is the case.
Ten Hag worked as a coach with McClaren in Twente (Image: PA)
“So it’s not only exciting to be back at Manchester United, it’s exciting to be working with Erik again. And after a week with Mitchell, a very, very good coach, and hopefully together – and with the squad, John Murtough has also been a great help in the process – we can start in mid-June, the players are back and it’s a new start.
“I know Erik is looking forward to it and I’m definitely looking forward to it, and it was great to catch up with him over the last seven days and get back together and hopefully make a great team out of the field that will eventually produce one in the field. ‘
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