When Erik ten Hag was unveiled as Manchester United manager at his first press conference last month, the Dutchman greeted the dedicated correspondents across the front row with handshakes. It was a charismatic first impression from Ten Hag.
Dutch waffles and bottles of Heineken in the press room also helped to create a warm welcome. After Ten Hag made his opening remarks, the questions from journalists began and suddenly Ten Hag seemed less charismatic and more straight-talking. Ten Hag answered in the blunt, direct and honest style that journalists who reported on Ajax had warned their counterparts about.
Ten Hag was straight to the point with every answer. Ten Hag was asked what Cristiano Ronaldo would bring to his team and he replied, "goals," while he also kept his answer on Donny van de Beek short. Some were expecting a more detailed answer considering the pair's relationship, but they clearly hadn't done their homework. The 52-year-old has never revelled in his media duties.
