Erik ten Hag building the ‘perfect team’ as Man United complete new Ajax raid – expert
Erik ten Hag is attempting to build the “perfect backroom team” at Man United – and his former Ajax ally Kevin Keij will make a fine addition to the analysis department.
That is the view of training ground expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
As relayed by Training Ground Guru last Sunday (31 July), Keij has agreed a deal to join United as a first-team performance analyst from Ajax.
Keij began as an under-23s analyst and rose through the ranks during Ten Hag’s time at the Dutch club.
The Red Devils have signed former Ajax stars Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez this summer, and they have also chased Frenkie De Jong.
Fellow Ajax academy graduate Donny van de Beek was already at the club, and Ten Hag also appointed former Ajax star Benni McCarthy as a striker coach last Saturday (30 July).
Dinnery explained why having these pre-existing relationships will be useful for the new manager.
“It certainly helps to understand the manager and what he wants,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Ten Hag has that connection with him and what he is looking for. There will be open lines of communication, trust and credibility. That can help him have a seamless transition into the fold.
“It’s all part of the cohesive, collective approach that Ten Hag is bringing to United. He’s trying to build that perfect backroom team throughout every department.
“If you can bring in people who you trust, that will help move things along a bit quicker than someone who is coming in cold.”
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