Liverpool’s new head coach Arne Slot is no stranger to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch duo locked horns in the Eredivisie as Slot led Feyenoord and Ten Hag guided Ajax. Both men are set to reignite that rivalry in the Premier League next season when the teams collide on August 4, August 31 and January 4.
While the pair will be aiming to distance each other in the Premier League table, they do face a similar challenge next season. Last season, both United and Liverpool operated with a manager who had a big say on all aspects of the club.
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In Jurgen Klopp’s instance, this duty was handed to him thanks to the success he had managed at Anfield. For Ten Hag, the responsibility was thrust upon him due to the lack of footballing expertise in the boardroom.
This is not to say that Ten Hag did not want the role, far from it. In fact, the United boss has relished having a big say on recruitment, tactics and discipline.
But the 54-year-old finds himself facing a change to his duties. INEOS’ arrival at the start of the year has accompanied a new model which will see Ten Hag become a head coach and allow some of the player recruitment aspects of his job to be diluted.
Reports have suggested this has been met with uneasiness by Ten Hag as he looks to negotiate a new contract with the United boardroom. This would be understandable from the outside as how many managers are willing to offload power to those in the posh seats.
However, Slot may have pointed out how Sir Jim Ratcliffe can create a work environment which Ten Hag will not only blossom in but enjoy. In his first interview as Liverpool boss, Slot said: “For me, it is normal [to relinquish some power on transfers] because this is the way it is in Europe and in Holland.
“I don’t think there is much of a change between a head coach and a manager, it’s just that by being a head coach I can go in fully to the things I would like to do. So, work with the team, prepare the team in the best possible way, and me and Richard [Hughes] are going to work together when it comes to transfers but not only the two of us – there is a big backroom staff included in this as well.
“I think for me it is the way I have worked always and it for me is the ideal way of working because I can use the most of my time by working with the team and the time that is left will probably be a bit for the family and a bit to talk with Richard about how we can strengthen the team. But we already have a really strong team.”
When it comes to twisting Ten Hag’s arm on this new role, INEOS need to reassure the United boss that his voice will not be lost. The moment the manager is not on board with the players coming in, that is when everything will unravel.
Ten Hag needs to have a strong say on who is brought to the club and like Slot explains, this can be shared with sporting directors. Allowing to alleviate some of the pressure on the United manager is the only way we will see the best of both him and in turn, the club.