New Bayern Munich signing Ryan Gravenberch has thanked Erik ten Hag for helping to turn him into a star.
Gravenberch was one of the 23 Ajax academy players handed debuts by Ten Hag, and clinched a £20 million move to Bayern this summer.
The Netherlands midfielder credits Ten Hag with his development, and said the Manchester United manager had some words of advice for him about his move to the Bundesliga.
Ten Hag previously spent time at Bayern Munich, coaching the second team, during Pep Guardiola’s spell as manager.
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Gravenberch thanks Erik ten Hag
Gravenberch explained via FCUpdate that Ten Hag warned him he will have to work even harder to be a success at Bayern.
The 20-year-old explained: “He [Ten Hag] said, ‘You’re going to work there. You’re going to run, boy!’ That was nice, haha.
“I’m glad I had him as a trainer. He especially taught me to keep calm. When I just got to the first team, I really wanted to make minutes, but he said: “That will come. First become reliable in Jong. Then you start making minutes’. In the end, that’s how it went.”
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Gravenberch had told De Telegraaf when he made his move that Manchester United had attempted to hijack his move to Bayern.
However, the German team had made contact with Gravenberch as far back as October to line up a move, which highlighted how United never stood a chance.
“I had given my word,” Gravenberch explained.
What his latest comments do demonstrate, is the positive relationships Erik ten Hag has with his players.
This bodes well for a United squad who should respond well to a personable, yet hard and fair manager, who clearly knows what he is doing on the training pitch.
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