First real test for Ten Hag
The wisdom or folly of Manchester United appointing a Dutch coach comes under the spotlight this weekend, when TAB is adding to the excitement of the new PSL and EPL seasons with cash boosts totalling R750,000 to six soccer pools
By Mark Gleeson
Erik ten Hag made his reputation on Ajax Amsterdam’s amazing run in the 2019 UEFA Champions League, advancing through the preliminary knockout rounds, the group phase and into the semi-finals, in which they were well placed before Tottenham Hotspur snatched victory away from them at the last moment.
That reputation was verified last season when Ajax accomplished the rare feat of winning all six group matches, catapulting Ten Hag onto the list of candidates to take over at Manchester United.
It is something of a gamble because Dutch coaches in England of late have proven flops. Louis van Gaal at Manchester United was boorish and obstinate, while Frank de Boer at Crystal Palace was pilloried by Jose Mourinho as the worst manager the English Premier League had ever seen. Ronald Koeman bombed at Everton too.
So Ten Hag has a major job on his hands and is merely the latest on a growing list of managers brought into restore the club to the heights they enjoyed under Alex Ferguson. The early signs look good, but the real crunch comes as the new EPL season gets underway this weekend.
It’s also the start of our own PSL and TAB is racheting up the excitement with cash add-ins totalling a mega R750,000 to six selected soccer pools. The cash bonuses kick off with a R250,000 boost to tonight’s Soccer 10 pool.
Nothing but a handsome win will do for United at Old Trafford on Sunday, when Brighton and Hove Albion come to visit. Otherwise the doomsayers will be quick to return and so will the dark cloud that has enveloped the club in recent years.
Top priority will be a top-four place and a return to the Champions League for the 2023-34 campaign. This season Manchester United play in the Europa League as a result of their sixth place in the league last season.
There will be many expecting Ten Hag to immediately turn the Red Devils back into serious title contenders, but there are plenty of obstacles if they are to win a first Premier League title since 2013.
The biggest, of course, is Manchester City. United’s “noisy neighbours” are the favourites again, having won four of their last five titles. Even Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says City are favourites, although he is renowned for a bit of hoodwinking and deflecting attention from his own team.
City and Liverpool start their league campaign in London. Fulham host Liverpool tomorrow and City are at West Ham on Sunday.
The safest banker of the weekend in TAB soccer pools must be Spurs to win at home to Southampton. Another strong banker is an away win is Aston Villa at Bournemouth, who have done little in the transfer market to bolster their squad after winning promotion last season.