Manchester United have officially announced the appointment of Tenhag as the new manager. His name may be unfamiliar to many fans, after all, Tenhag has never coached a team in Europe's top five leagues, but the Dutch coach does have a high tactical attainment.
Coaching experience and philosophy
Tenhag, 52, comes from a wealthy family in the east of the Netherlands, with a family business and a company that can be inherited. As a player, he did not achieve much, starting his coaching career from the Eredivisie team Forward Eagles, and in 2013-15 he was the head coach of the Bayern reserve team, when the first team manager was Pep Guardiola.
Later, Tenhag returned to the Netherlands to take charge of Utrecht's coaching whip, and led the team to fifth in the Dutch First Division in the first season and fourth in the second season, qualifying for the Europa League. As a result, he was favored by Ajax in December 2017 to become the head coach of Jaffa.
In the 2018-19 season, Tenghag led Ajax to reach the champions league final four after 22 years, and the offensive football and youth storm set off were even more amazing. On the domestic side, he has won 5 titles, including 2 Eredivisie titles, and is also leading the standings this season.
As for his coaching philosophy, Tenhag explains: "I learned a lot from Guardiola. His philosophy is amazing, what he's done at Barca, Bayern and now Manchester City, that attacking and attractive style has allowed him to win a lot and that's the structure that I'm trying to achieve at Ajax. ”
Former Utrecht goalkeeper Rhett said: "Like Guardiola, Tenhach is obsessed with possession, thinking about football, thinking about every detail, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ”
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Coach Steele believes that Tenhach, like Guardiola, attaches great importance to detail, all special moments in the game have detailed maps, how to deal with it, there are plans, when players should rush up and when they should control the ball, will teach players, this way of training is enjoyable.
Indeed, Tenhag and Guardiola are really alike, and they both originate from the DNA of Dutch football "attacking and defending", and they are the best of the new era football tactical masters.
Utrecht: 442
During his time at Utrecht, Tenhag often used a 442 formation with diamond-shaped positions. As shown in the image above, high striker Alai is at the front, with a two-striker behind or next to him, with Balazit as the no. 10 forward, standing at the very top of the diamond-shaped midfield.
The two centre-backs separated and single-back No. 7 Stred landed between them, forming a diamond-shaped base + three centre-backs. Two full-backs pressed for assists, and the formation actually changed to 3412 or 3421.
Tenhag sometimes uses the 433 formation: two wingers inwards, a single back retraction, two full-backs pressed forward, in fact, 3421, and the tactical play of 442 is the same.
Ajax period: 4231/433
In his second season in charge of Jaffa, Tenhag created the dark horse of the Champions League. That team featured a 4231 formation: Frankie De Jong and Schöne paired up at the back, Van de Beek played as a front, Tadić played as a pseudo-center, and the two wings were Ziyech and Neves.
Ziyech on the right flank is further outside, supporting the attack on the flanks, while right-back Mazlawi leans towards the centre to support and protect the attack. Neves on the left side is more like an inside forward, forming a three-striker posture with Tadić and Van de Beek inserted; assists on the left side are handed over to left-back Tagliafico.
Ajax didn't have a center-forward on the field, but the players in the midfield were both skilled, running and passing, so the offense was still playing smoothly. However, in the Dutch first division, those with absolute strength will use Dolbelli or Huntelaer in the center position to "crush" the opponent.
In January 2021, Alai joined from West Ham United to reunite with Tenhag. With the centre-forward, the Dutchman's formation switched between 4231 and 433, and this change gave him more similarities in tactical play with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Alai served as centre-forward, Tadić moved to the left and Brazilian winger Antoni on the right. Mexico international Edson Alvarez plays as a back, 19-year-old homegrown rising star Gravenbeck is both offensive and defensive, can pull back to play at the back, can also press the attack, and The Netherlands international Boguez is the all-round midfielder.
The focus is on the backline, with Left-back Blind, who has played for Manchester United, further back, forming a three-back with two centre-backs. His role is crucial: involved in the delivery of the ball at the back; midfield closing, assisting in the organisation of the back; long passes diverted, moving the direction of attack – much like City's left-back Cancelo.
So, Ajax's main attack direction is on the left side, and Blind can use forward passes to find the left winger, the left midfielder and the center, just like Canselo went to Gundogan, B-seat, Foden.
On the right, more space is left for Anthony to go 1-on-1. He is very similar to Manchester City's Mahrez style, with superb skills on his feet, strong single-player breakthrough ability, great lethality in the inside, and a left foot to pass the middle of the penalty area and the back point.
However, compared to Walker, who used Guardiola, Tenhag gave Mazlawi a higher weight and freedom in the forward insertion. He could insert himself into the right rib of the attacking third zone and take advantage of the space behind the closing of the right midfield; even after the opposing left-back was attracted to Anthony, he continued to insert himself into the empty space.
Defensively, Tenghag focused on putting pressure on the ball, but not just pressing high, falling back to the half-time defense, two wingers to actively return to the defensive side, two full-backs to pay attention to the adduction to protect the middle, and two offensive midfielders to protect the ribs. However, he is more "friendly" to the center, and Alai does not have to participate in the deep defense.
Coaching Manchester United: How to line up the troops?
So after coaching Manchester United, how will Tenhag build his own system? He is likely to use the 4231/433 formation: centre-backs will follow Maguire and Varane, as the former's ability to shoot the ball is required. The right-back is Darot, whose forward assist ability is stronger. Left-backs may use Tres, whose passing ability is better than Luke Shaw's.
In midfield, Tenhag's love at Ajax will return on loan to Van de Beek and will regain his chances. B Fee has just been renewed, the main position is of course unshakable, then it is also necessary to introduce a defensive back, such as West Ham United's Rice.
In terms of the front, will C Ronaldo be abandoned? This is a topic of great concern for fans. According to British media sources, Teng haag has made it clear that C Ronaldo is not in his plan, but from past experience, he will not reject the veterans, but likes to use their experience.
The president's header ability is not inferior to Alai', of course, the shooting skills are better, the scoring ability is undoubtedly stronger, and he still has a contract with Manchester United, so as long as he is willing to stay, he is still expected to conquer the new coach.
On the left, Tenhag should like Sancho and he can be the next Tadić. The right side needs a flashpoint like Anthony, and the Brazilian winger is also one of United's targets.
In short, Tenghag's tactical ability is beyond doubt, but during his coaching of Ajax, there are also questions in the industry and the media about his lack of rotation and on-the-spot adjustment, which all need to be tested by the Premier League, so whether he can lead Manchester United to a real revival is still unknown!