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.
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The majority of United fans were impressed with Ten Hag's first press conference, however, there had to be a small concern about whether his personality was going to work at Carrington. There are some big egos in the club's dressing room.
Although Ten Hag is known to be quiet and introverted in his press conferences, that character reference doesn't match the manager who enthusiastically danced in the centre of a circle made by his players after Ajax won the Eredivisie last season.
That profile also doesn't match the manager who has built excellent relationships with his players or who is often seen sharing embraces. Ten Hag might be direct with the media but it seems he's personable with his players, which is all that matters.
While that evidence alone should be enough to disregard concerns over Ten Hag's personality, his recent private telephone conversation with Frenkie de Jong will almost certainly end the argument. De Jong is settled with his long-term girlfriend in Barcelona and he was naturally hesitant when informed United were interested in signing him. Ten Hag knew he needed to change that.
The Manchester Evening News revealed last month that Ten Hag had identified the player as a priority target and so he wasn't going to be disheartened by De Jong's initial reluctance. Ten Hag made the call to De Jong and tried to sell him a move to Old Trafford.
Whether that phone call has worked or not will be revealed in the coming weeks, but it's now believed De Jong is open to a move to United, which he certainly hadn't been before Ten Hag picked up the phone. Whatever Ten Hag said, it seems to have worked and negotiations with Barcelona are now the obstacle. Agreeing on personal terms with De Jong will be no problem for United.
Of course, De Jong could change his mind, which wouldn't be a surprise considering how settled he is living in Barcelona, but being able to persuade the player is a testament to the character of Ten Hag. It shows he has what it takes to succeed at United.
Ten Hag built an excellent working relationship with De Jong at Ajax, to the extent that the player is willing to give up his 'dream' of playing for Barcelona to play under him again. United fans are hoping Ten Hag can build such relationships in Manchester.
It was an overused cliche during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign that the Norwegian was putting smiles back on faces, but Ten Hag needs to do exactly that at Carrington. There is a dark could hanging over the club and Ten Hag needs to restore some good feeling.
Ten Hag clearly has the personality to do it and he's a tactically brilliant coach, which is something United haven't had since 2018.
United have just endured their worst season for decades, but things can only get better with Ten Hag.
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