Ten Hag’s slow rise to coaching success seems to have come to an abrupt stop at Manchester United. Can the man who led other teams to glory turn the club around on his third attempt? Or is his tenure simply doomed? In this episode, Mehreen and Simon chronicle the rise and fall of Erik ten Hag. They cover the hyper-organised, football-obsessed Dutchman’s rise from middling footballer to his slow and successful rise to Head Coach of Ajax. On the way they investigate the influence of Pep Guardiola on his coaching style and his entrepreneurial obsession with becoming a Ferguson-style football ‘CEO’. Timestamps: 00.35 - Introduction 05:50 - Childhood coaching-mindset to middling football player 11:47 - The dreamer assistant coach that thinks like a football CEO 13:54 - Assistant at Twente under Steve McClaren 16:34 - Successful stint as Head Coach with the Go-Ahead Eagles 20:37 - The influence of Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich 24:31 - Back to the Netherlands and rise in Utrecht 27:45 - Move to Ajax - from mockery to success 32:33 - The iconic Spurs v Ajax Game, 2019 37:54 - Setting up at Man U and taking control of transfers 49:27 - Man U’s first season: Rocky beginnings or stable start? 56:54 - Staying resilient among increasing uncertainty 1:01 - The winning formula to being a good coach Join the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club! Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action? By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you. Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast. Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumans Follow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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