A month ago
Steve McClaren, assistant manager at Manchester United, recently shed light on the unique relationship between Casemiro and Erik ten Hag. In a revealing conversation with *The Telegraph*, McClaren emphasized the immense respect and admiration that Casemiro, one of the most accomplished footballers in the world, has developed for Ten Hag’s tactical acumen. According to McClaren, Casemiro was taken aback by the depth of tactical detail and the level of footballing knowledge that Ten Hag possesses. This came as quite a surprise to the Brazilian midfielder, who had already seen and experienced so much during his illustrious career at Real Madrid.
Casemiro, who won multiple Champions League titles and other prestigious honors at Real Madrid, is no stranger to high-level football. He has worked under some of the best coaches in the world, such as Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, and José Mourinho. Each of these managers has left a mark on Casemiro, shaping him into the world-class player he is today. Given this rich experience, it’s fair to say that Casemiro has seen almost everything there is to see in top-level football. Yet, despite this wealth of experience, his encounter with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United opened his eyes to a new level of tactical brilliance.
McClaren pointed out that Casemiro believed he had already learned everything there was to know about football tactics at Real Madrid. However, when he started working under Ten Hag, he quickly realized there was more to learn. The level of detail that Ten Hag brings to his coaching sessions reportedly astonished Casemiro. This speaks volumes about Ten Hag’s meticulous approach to managing and preparing his teams. While Casemiro might have thought that his days of being surprised by football strategies were behind him, Ten Hag proved that there are always new ways to view and approach the game.
This revelation highlights Ten Hag's strengths as a modern football tactician. He has been known for his ability to drill teams with detailed game plans, covering every aspect of the game – from pressing strategies to defensive organization and attacking transitions. His attention to detail has been a key factor in Manchester United’s recent improvement. For a player like Casemiro, who had become accustomed to the demands and tactical expectations at Real Madrid, finding a coach who could offer him something new was both refreshing and impressive.
Furthermore, this also says something about Casemiro’s own mentality. Despite all his success, he remains open to learning and improving, even at this stage of his career. Many players of his caliber could easily become complacent, feeling like there is nothing new to learn. However, Casemiro's willingness to embrace Ten Hag’s ideas and adapt to his system shows the Brazilian’s commitment to continual growth. This open-mindedness is likely one of the reasons why Casemiro has remained at the top of the game for so long.
In conclusion, Steve McClaren’s comments provide an interesting insight into the dynamic between Casemiro and Erik ten Hag. For Casemiro, who thought he had already experienced everything football had to offer during his time at Real Madrid, working with Ten Hag has been a humbling and eye-opening experience. It demonstrates Ten Hag’s exceptional tactical knowledge and his ability to impress even the most seasoned players. At the same time, it underscores Casemiro’s admirable mentality and willingness to keep learning and growing, even after all his years of success.
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