Blind Backs ‘Control Freak’ Ten Hag to Deliver at Manchester United

02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)
02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)
TT
20

Blind Backs ‘Control Freak’ Ten Hag to Deliver at Manchester United

02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)
02 November 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Then Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag leads a training session for the team at at Signal Iduna Park ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. (dpa)

Ajax Amsterdam defender Daley Blind has described new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as a "control freak" and backed the Dutchman to bring success back to the club if given time and resources to establish his own playing style.

Blind, who spent four seasons at United before leaving for Ajax in 2018, won three Eredivisie titles and two domestic cups under Ten Hag.

"He's really social," the 32-year-old told https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/daley-blind-says-new-united-boss-erik-ten-hag-is-a-control-freak United's website. "I think, also in Ajax, he knows everyone at the club is important. Everyone needs to be involved to get that winning feeling, that winning mentality.

"He is aware of that and wants to keep everything close. He's also a control freak and wants to be on top of everything. I think that's a special quality you need to have when being that good."

Ten Hag takes over at Old Trafford following a woeful campaign under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, with the team finishing sixth in the Premier League and missing out on Champions League qualification.

United have not won a trophy since the Europa League in 2017 and while getting his hands on silverware will be important for Ten Hag he must first establish a clear playing style, said Blind.

"I know this manager has the quality and I hope he gets the time to put everything his way and makes sure the team plays how he wants," he added. "I am confident he will be successful."



Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
TT
20

Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number two Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive "such harsh judgements".

The five-times Grand Slam champion was criticized heavily over the incident, which occurred during her 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva on Friday.

"It's true - I expressed frustration in a way I'm not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground," Swiatek posted on Instagram on Monday.

"I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.

"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgements."

Swiatek added that the second half of last year was extremely challenging for her. She accepted a one-month suspension in November having tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).

"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman. Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical," Swiatek said.

"That's not a healthy standard - especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court."