Manchester United receive huge boost as Ajax believe that Erik ten Hag will leave the club
According to Dutch journalist Mike Vermeij (h/t Express), the Ajax Amsterdam hierarchy expect their manager Erik Ten Hag to depart this summer, in what is a huge boost for Manchester United in their hunt for a new permanent boss.
Ralf Rangnick is currently in charge of United, appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season, and tasked with guiding the club to a top-four finish this season as we aim to play Champions League football next term.
At the end of his tenure, he is expected to give up his seat in the dugout and make way for a new manager to take the reins at Old Trafford. The German, however, will be involved in the search for his replacement.
Ajax’s ten Hag has been touted to be one of the strong favourites to get the job in the summer, having impressed in the Eredivisie over the past few years, winning the league titles twice as well as promoting young, talented players from the famed club academy.
Lack of major role at Ajax
His exit from the Dutch club may just be accelerated after Ajax announced that former player Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had joined the club’s technical staff. However, ten Hag did not have much of a voice or role in this change in staff, despite having to work very closely with Huntelaar.
It is said that the side only informed him of the decision and did not consult him, which may be seen as a huge indicator that Ajax do not see the 52-year-old in their future. This is excellent news for the Red Devils who will look to take advantage of the situation and snap him up in the summer.
The Dutchman’s possible availability is great news for the Manchester club, who would be looking for a person with pedigree and experience to lead the side. Although Rangnick has coached before, he was most recently in a technical role at Lokomotiv Moscow.
His predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a club legend as a player, but with hardly any experience managing an elite side like United or winning major trophies. This led to his downfall eventually, and the Old Trafford side will be keen to avoid any more such appointments.
More Manchester United News
- Transfer News: Manchester United fighting Newcastle, Liverpool for Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz despite his ACL injury
- Old Trafford could be bulldozed and rebuilt by Manchester United owners Glazers
- Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick gives squad update ahead of Atletico Madrid clash
What the Red Devils want in their new manager is to have a track record of promoting youth, rebuilding squads, and challenging for silverware. A new era is expected to be ushered in at the Theatre of Dreams this summer, and the right person is necessary for the job.
ten Hag is the ideal manager in this regard, as he ticks off this checklist that the club has in mind. This season too, he is well on his way to making it a hat-trick of league titles with Ajax as they sit on top of the Eredivisie table. Hopefully, we see him lead us to such trophies next year if he takes the United job.
