Erik ten Hag is currently the manager of Ajax.© Twitter
Manchester United have had “positive” talks with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag about the vacant manager position at Old Trafford, it was reported on Wednesday. Ralf Rangnick has been in charge of the failed Premier League giants on an interim basis since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November after being in charge for nearly three years. Sky Sports said talks with Ten Hag had been “positive”, and reported club chiefs were impressed with his vision. But it’s clear it’s too early to talk about favorites for the track.
Other names in the frame include Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino, Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui and Spain coach Luis Enrique.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has been mentioned as a possible candidate amid unrest at the London club following sanctions imposed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich, but he has reaffirmed his commitment to the Blues.
Ten Hag, who took over from Ajax in 2017, won the national title in 2019 and 2021 and his team is currently at the top of the rankings with two points ahead of PSV Eindhoven.
The 52-year-old’s contract with Ajax runs until 2023, but United has good ties with the Dutch club, where former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is top man.
Whoever takes over at Old Trafford will be given a major rebuilding contract, with a number of senior players, including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani, all out of contract at the end of the season.
The future of 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to United in August, is also the subject of widespread speculation following the club’s disappointing season.
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United left the Champions League last week, were beaten by Atletico Madrid in the last 16, and are struggling to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
Rangnick will remain at Old Trafford for two more years in an advisory role after his interim job ends at the end of the season.
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