Erik ten Hag’s press conference ahead of Ajax’s KNVB Cup final on Sunday was predictably deluged with questions about Manchester United.
The Ajax boss has agreed a contract with Manchester United, The Telegraph report, but for the moment his focus is understandably on Ajax.
Even when congratulated on the move to United, the Dutchman refused to bite.
Ten Hag was quizzed by the media throughout his press conference on the United job, and did an excellent job of steering the questioning back towards Ajax.
Responding to the persistent questions, Ten Hag told NU.nl: “You can keep trying, but I’m talking about Ajax and nothing else.
“It’s not difficult not to talk about other things, because I have enough to do towards the cup final.
“We trained fantastically this week, perhaps the best during my period at Ajax. So the players are busy with Ajax and the cup final. They are looking forward to it, there is a lot of energy. At this club there are always rumors about the players and the trainer. We are not concerned by that.”
Ten Hag raises a good point, that it should be relatively straightforward to keep focus with such an important match forthcoming.
He is looking to win his third KNVB Cup, the first leg of a potential double, with Ajax five points clear at the top of the Eredivisie currently.
He handled the questions like a professional, good preparation for the barrage he will face from the media throughout his Manchester United spell.
United will have to wait until at least after Sunday’s cup final to announce Ten Hag’s arrival, even though it is now one of the worst kept secrets in European football.
It’s possible it is even delayed until Ajax clinch the league, but one way or another, it appears the Dutchman is bound for Old Trafford.
United face Norwich on Saturday at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils at a stage where we just wish the season would end, in anticipation of Ten Hag’s summer arrival.
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