Erik ten Hag to Manchester United is the subject Ajax cannot get away from ahead of their upcoming KNVB Cup final.
A press conference was held earlier today in the Netherlands, which Ten Hag attended along with star player Dusan Tadic.
Tadic has scored an impressive 15 goals and provided 18 assists under Ten Hag’s management this season, and he was asked about his manager”s future.
The Serbian international praised Ten Hag and admitted that speculation is something Ajax and their players have learned to become accustomed to.
Ten Hag praised
Tadic explained, via NU.nl: “He is a great trainer, one of the best in the world.
“Ten Hag has developed even better in recent years. Tactically he thinks two steps further than the opponent.
“It is a pleasure to work with him. It is logical that there is interest in the trainer and players of Ajax. There will always be the way. That is also why we are Ajax.”
Ten Hag was also quizzed about the rumours, and expertly deflected a barrage of questions to insist his sole focus is on Sunday’s cup final, and then winning the league with Ajax afterwards.
It was an important message for him to send, to keep his players focused too, shutting out all of the noise from the outside.
Now with the obligatory press conference done, Ten Hag and his players can further prepare their game plan and tactics ahead of Sunday’s match.
He is reported to be set to make a big goalkeeper change, to drop Andre Onana after and error and controversial comments from the player after the match, to bring in veteran Maarten Stekelenburg, De Telegraaf report.
It is a big call, showing Ten Hag’s willingness to make big decisions in big moments, which bodes well for how he will deal with the big egos in the Manchester United dressing room next season.
The Telegraph report a deal to bring Ten Hag to United is 99 per cent done, pending an official announcement.
- Erik Ten Hag’s managerial record and style of play
- Erik Ten Hag’s five most expensive transfers
- Ajax’s last five managers before Ten Hag and where they are now
- Five Ajax players Ten Hag could sign for Manchester United
- Ten Hag’s comments when Van de Beek left Ajax for Old Trafford
- Six key issues for Manchester United’s next boss
- The three biggest wins of Ten Hag’s managerial career
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