Why Ten Hag is ‘like a Prime Minister’

“The first time [I met Erik] was a couple of weeks ago, when I was here for two days,” Van Persie began. “That was the first time actually and the way how open he was towards me… he wants to share his knowledge and he wants to help a young coach.

“I’m a young coach now. My playing days are gone and I don’t think about or dream about actions anymore. I think about tactics and systems and how I can put my team in the best possible way on a football pitch.

“That’s how I think now and he gave me some new ideas.

“I get new ideas everywhere and he was one of them who really opened the doors and I appreciate that.”