Steve McClaren has provided a greater insight into what it’s like to work with manager Erik ten Hag.
The pair have been reunited at Manchester United this summer, following a previous spell together at FC Twente, when McClaren was boss and Ten Hag the assistant.
Since then, Erik has established himself as one of Europe’s leading coaches – winning multiple titles with Ajax – and now he’s at Old Trafford, McClaren is seeing his former right-hand man’s leadership qualities writ large.
We asked Steve what the dynamic was between himself, Erik and fellow assistant coach Mitchell van der Gaag, noting that Ten Hag is usually the most prominent on the touchline during games but that he obviously consults his assistants for advice.
“That’s how he works with the staff on and off the field: he delegates a lot. He tells you what your job is and he expects you to do it,”
McClaren told us, as part of an exclusive interview.
“If you’re not doing it, then he’ll tell you that you’re not doing it. That’s staff and players.
“We’ve had a load of discussions and Erik is in charge. We are – the rest of the staff – learning as much as the players are learning. This is a new style, these are new principles, a new way of playing.
“We have to learn this as well, so he’s not just educating the players, he’s educating the staff and all of us behind the scenes as well.”
Ten Hag’s reading of the game is something that has always stood out for McClaren.
“His one great strength I always found when I first worked with him: he knew football,”
Steve added.
“He could read the football match, he could see things happening on the field and he’s so used to how he wants this team to play that he can spot changes that need to be made very, very quickly.
“I noticed that when I first worked with him, and I’m noticing that now. That’s his strength.”
Van der Gaag worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, and McClaren has already noted his meticulousness in terms of the team's preparation.
“I think the way it works is that Erik has this big plan,”
he continued. “As I said, how he wants his team to play, in what style, principles. Both on and off the field, how he wants his players to behave, discipline.
“Mitchell has come along with him and he designs the practice sessions, the meetings that go into Erik’s plan. He’s very detailed, he’s a very, very good coach. He’s just like Erik, a workaholic.
“[He’s] really a deep thinker and really understands Erik, which is the most important thing.”
This weekend's Spanish friendly double-header, against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, will be shown live on the United App, MUTV and ManUtd.com.