Former Manchester United star Daley Blind has reflected on what it was like to work under Erik ten Hag throughout their time at Ajax.
The left-back is currently playing for La Liga side Girona, whom he signed for in the summer after completing a six-month loan spell with Bayern Munich.
Blind spent four years at Old Trafford, playing under fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal prior to his sacking in 2016. During his time as a Red, he won the FA Cup, League Cup and the Europa League before returning to Ajax in 2018.
This is where Blind got his first taste of working with Ten Hag after his appointment in December 2017. The Netherlands international played a pivotal role at the heart of Ajax’s defence and went on to win three Eredivisie titles, two KNVB Cups and the Johan Cruyff Shield in his second spell.
Ten Hag was then offered to chance to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in managing the 20-time champions – an opportunity that no coach can turn down.
Blind lauds Ten Hag
When looking back on his final years with Ajax, Blind put the side’s success down to Ten Hag. He told The Athletic in a recent interview: “We became like a machine, better and better. In time, he can do that for United. He’s a great manager, [a] great personality.
“He’s direct, honest, and tells you what he sees. He’s not afraid to make big decisions. If you don’t like it, you can go another way because his train goes on.”
That will do for me!