Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay has been talking to The Guardian, revealing a few secrets influencing his coaching philosophy.
Having taken the reins at Minnesota United in February 2024, he brought with him a wealth of experience from one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs.
Now, in his debut MLS season, Ramsay is working to reshape the Loons by blending lessons from the Premier League with the unique challenges of Major League Soccer.
A foundation built at Manchester United
Before making the leap to Minnesota, Ramsay spent several years at Manchester United, working under managers like Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Ralf Rangnick, and Erik ten Hag, as well as assisting Michael Carrick during his interim tenure.
These experiences provided him with a masterclass in leadership at the highest level of the sport.
Reflecting on his time at Old Trafford, Ramsay shared with The Guardian: “The big things I take away from Ole, Ralf, and Erik is that ability to be at the front of a club that size with a level of ease. Ole did it in a really relaxed, comfortable way. Ralf with more intensity—he was a really good communicator. Erik had that real meticulousness. What you don’t appreciate unless you’re up close is that to lead that club, and have a real sense of ‘I’m going to be the guy to drag this group forward,’ takes incredible energy.”
Despite working alongside global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro, Ramsay sought a different kind of challenge for his first managerial role.
He chose Major League Soccer over England’s Football League, drawn to the league’s stability and emphasis on long-term development.
“You get an element of patience here,” Ramsay explained. “If you look at it, the lifespan of a manager in MLS versus the Championship is significantly longer. You’re out of the spotlight that young British coaches would be in at any level [in England]. You get to develop some of the things that are really important in a coach’s trajectory. You’re doing it with a sense of stability.”
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Navigating challenges in Minnesota
Ramsay’s first season with Minnesota United was a baptism by fire. The team finished sixth in the Western Conference, securing a playoff spot, but were eliminated by the LA Galaxy.
The MLS schedule, which doesn’t pause for international breaks, posed a significant challenge, particularly during the Copa América when the team was left short-handed.
“It’s almost the ultimate test of pragmatism for a coach,” Ramsay reflected. “Last year, we used the most players in MLS. You don’t pause during international breaks. We really suffered during the Copa América for availability. We ended up with a really good start, a really tricky middle, and then a really good finish. I look back proudly.”
Building a new identity
Under Ramsay’s guidance, Minnesota United began to forge a distinct identity. The team became known for its compact defense and aggressive counterattacking style, a reflection of Ramsay’s tactical philosophy.
“I really like the way our team looked toward the end of last year,” he said. “We weren’t a team that dominated possession. We were really organized defensively, very compact, very difficult to play through. But we attacked aggressively. We counterattacked. For a team that rarely had more than 40 to 45% of the ball, we were very good to watch. As much as I want to be a coach that dominates in all phases of the game, I’m proud of how we played.”
This approach made Minnesota United competitive and entertaining to watch for sure.
For sure, Eric Ramsay’s experiences at Manchester United have clearly influenced his approach at Minnesota United because they literally approach games the same.
However, it remains to be seen how this will turn out this year, especially with the new signings coming on board.