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Ajax are interested in re-appointing Erik ten Hag but face an uphill battle to successfully execute a coup for the under-pressure Manchester United boss.
Reports in Holland that the Dutch giants, who are looking to replace current interim boss John van’t Schip, have placed Ten Hag at the top of their coaching list have been verified by Mail Sport.
However, sources insist that Ten Hag and his technical team would be reluctant to leave Old Trafford to facilitate a return to the Dutch capital this summer, meaning Ajax’s hopes of landing their former boss depend on his sacking. .
United’s newly installed co-owner INEOS will make a decision on Ten Hag’s future at the end of the season amid growing uncertainty over his position following a largely disappointing season.
Ten Hag could still win a trophy when his team face arch-rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25, and a decision on his job is not expected until the showdown at Wembley.
Ajax place Man United manager Erik ten Hag at the top of their coaching list
Ten Hag’s future looks increasingly fragile after frustrating campaign for United
There is a willingness on the part of the Ajax board to see how Ten Hag’s future develops before deciding his next move, with former Chelsea manager Graham Potter and Nice boss Francesco Farioli also among the other candidates. preferred.
But even if Ten Hag loses his job, it is acknowledged that the coach might prefer to seek an opportunity in one of Europe’s strongest leagues than return to the Netherlands.
Having transformed Ajax into one of the most exciting teams in European football before his departure in 2022, the iconic Dutch club has struggled during the post-Ten Hag era.
They are currently fifth in the Eredivisie, 35 points behind leader PSV. They finished third last season, missing out on Champions League qualification, 13 points behind champions Feyenoord.
And the fact that Ajax are in the middle of a transition period is unlikely to attract Ten Hag.
Meanwhile, there are also said to be internal concerns at Ajax over any questions Ten Hag’s re-appointment could raise regarding their transfer business, given their links to major Netherlands-based player management agency SEG. who has been involved in a series of United operations. offers since the Dutchman’s appointment before last season.
The direction of Ajax’s managerial search has been unclear following the suspension of chief executive Alex Kroes over allegations of insider trading.
Ajax are going through one of their worst seasons in recent times and are currently fifth in the Eredivisie.
The current situation of the club is far from the successes it achieved with the Dutchman at the helm between 2017 and 2022
But Kroes was reinstated at Ajax last week in a revised role as technical director and the manager is understood to be among those interested in bringing Ten Hag back this summer.
Interestingly, Kroes is a childhood friend of prominent Dutch agent Kees Vos, who represents Ten Hag. Kroes and Vos founded the talent agency SEG in 2000.
