Erik ten Hag has been described as a perfectionist whose attention to detail could transform Manchester United.
United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement in principle with Ten Hag for him to become the next permanent manager at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is set to sign a four-year deal with United once the Premier League club has negotiated a compensation package with his current club Ajax.
The Dutch manager is expected to take over at United at the end of the season, bringing to an end the club’s long search for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent replacement.
Advert
Former midfielder Sjoerd Overgoor was managed by Ten Hag during his time in charge of Eredisvie side Go Ahead Eagles and he has now opened up on the Dutch coach’s exceptionally high standards.
“He wanted the drinks put out in straight lines,” Overgoor told Sky Sports.
“Everything had to be perfect in his eyes. People needed time to get used to that.”
Overgoor added: “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.
Advert
“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.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes the majority of the club’s fans are excited by the expected appointment of Ten Hag, who has seemingly beat off competition from Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the role.
“It's a massive jump but he's got a good coaching pedigree,” Neville told Sky Sports.
Advert
“He's not scarred and that's a good thing - he comes in fresh. I did a poll the other week and I was absolutely stunned - 240,000 people voted and 82 per cent were in favour of bringing him in over Pochettino.
“I knew that he would be favourite because you can smell it on social media. I think Manchester United fans are demanding a fresh start and a fresh name.
“They want something that's completely different that they've not had before, and that's probably gone against Pochettino in some ways.”
Topics: Manchester United, Football, Erik Ten Hag, Ajax, Premier League