Siddharth Juyal
Manchester United staff concerned regarding the involvement of manager Erik ten Hag’s agent in club’s transfer business
Erik ten Hag‘s agent, Kees Vos, involving himself in the club’s transfer business is causing growing concern among Manchester United staff.
United are currently in the second season of Ten Hag’s regime, with the club having spent a significant amount, €449.98 mil., under the Dutchman.
According to The Daily Mail (h/t Express), Vos’ Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) serves as the primary agency for negotiating player sales and signings at United.
SEG previously helped United secure players like Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, and Robin van Persie before Ten Hag arrived as a manager.
Vos regularly appears at Old Trafford and Carrington, where he serves as an advisor to Ten Hag on transfer decisions. The Dutchman’s son Nigel ten Hag also works for SEG as an analyst, suggesting more influence of the agency.
Ten Hag has signed many players he knew thanks to his affiliation through his tenure at previous clubs and leagues.
The football community has criticized the United manager for the transfer approach due to the team’s struggles this season in the Premier League. United lost three out of five games so far this season, with many of the Dutchman’s signings giving poor performances.
Ten Hag immediately signed Lisandro Martinez and Antony from his former club, Ajax. The English giant spent £86 million on Antony as the Brazilian failed to live up to the expectation so far. The Dutchman also signed Tyrell Malacia, whom he had known from the Eredivisie.
This summer’s signings André Onana and Sofyan Amrabat have also played under Ten Hag at Ajax and Utrecht, respectively.
The Manchester club have stated that the club is merely developing a relationship with the agencies through personal relationships. The problem that United fans would be contemplating is how fruitful this tactic has been as no good result has come from it.
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We believe Ten Hag has every right to consider players who excelled under his management. If he believes they can address vulnerabilities at United, he should evaluate them. Successful coaches like Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp caution against reliance on past players and tactics at new clubs. Ten Hag’s signings from his previous connections are only valuable if they meet United’s high expectations.
