Spurs manager target Erik ten Hag lives above supermarket, studies Guardiola’s teams and loves Van Gaal and Cruyff

ERIK TEN HAG famously lives above a supermarket in Amsterdam, but the only shelf he wants to stack is his club’s trophy cabinet.

The Ajax boss, who is reportedly a manager target for Daniel Levy and Tottenham, landed his second Eredivisie title with the Dutch giants last month.

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Erik ten Hag is the unknown Dutchman who has revived European giants AjaxCredit: PA:Empics Sport

The quiet Dutchman, fairly unknown across the continent after a 13-year playing career in Holland, has revived the glory days at Ajax with a vibrant young team.

In 2019, with a side that featured homegrown talents like Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech, he reached a Champions League semi-final.

Ten hag, a keen golfer with a high-pitched voice, worked wonders given Ajax had not even competed in the knockout stages since 2005-06.

Having already surpassed par, Ten Hag is becoming a Master. That’s why should Levy miss out on bringing Mauricio Pochettino back to the club from PSG, the Dutchman is serious contender for the hot-seat, even though he recently signed a contract extension to his current Ajax deal.

AJAX ICONS

On the wall of his modest office at the club’s De Toekomst training ground hang photos of Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels and Louis van Gaal.

In an era when Ajax are surrounded by financially beefed up opponents, he has ensured the club have stayed competitive. This season, they were narrowly beaten by Roma in the Europa League quarter-final.

So how has the former centre-back from a rural town in Twente transformed their fortunes?

Ten Hag’s education in coaching goes some way to explain.

In 2013, having spent his entire career in Holland, he moved abroad to work with the master of management.

At Bayern Munich, ten Hag cut his coaching teeth with the reserves while watching closely as Pep Guardiola revolutionised the German giants’ style.

“Every day I get to work with him, I look forward to it. He inspires me,” he gushed.

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Ten Hag worked closely with Pep Guardiola for two years as Bayern Munich II’s managerCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Ten Hag is a disciple of Guardiola with his focus on attacking and attractive footballCredit: AFP or licensors

And his approach to training shows ten Hag is a disciple of Guardiola, such is the obsession with detail.

He has a particular focus on the character of a player.

Ten Hag will note down how each individual responds to minor errors, losing the ball or committing a foul, and works out the mentality of his team to suit their opponent.

Before being appointed at Ajax in 2017, these skills helped him guide Utrecht into the Europa League.

DEVELOPING YOUTH

Ten Hag suited Ajax due to his ability to nurture young talent into stars.

Frenkie de Jong, 21, joined Barcelona in a deal worth £65million in 2019. Matthijs de Ligt, 19, joined Juventus for the same fee – boosting the club’s coffers.

Ten Hag played a key role in the development of players like Memphis Depay, at PSV, and Marko Arnautovic, at FC Twente.

He transformed Depay from a central midfielder to a wide position, with the coach’s focus constantly on attacking and attractive football.

Yet, Ten Hag is also able to identify what his team needs.

Among his youthful stars, are seasoned veterans including former Man United man Daley Blind and ex-Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic.

Both were brought in 2018 by Ten Hag to redress the team’s inexperience.

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Ten Hag’s first managerial job was with Dutch side Go Ahead EaglesCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Ten Hag rose to prominence in Holland by taking Utrecht to the Europa LeagueCredit: Rex Features

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Former defender Ten Hag focuses on developing youth by gaining their trustCredit: Getty – Contributor

The Dutchman has spoken of his lofty ambitions to manage a bigger club.

And with Ajax about to be crowned champions for a second time under ten Hag, he might feel his work in Amsterdam is done.

Could a new challenge in the Premier League with Spurs await him?

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