Manchester United interviewed Ajax boss Erik ten Hag over the vacant manager’s job last week, The Telegraph reported, with a view to taking the job at the end of the season.
United are going through the rest of the process right now, but if Ten Hag is the man, then ‘what next?’
Well, the issue which could delay United, is that the Dutch season is still ongoing. Ajax are fighting for the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup final.
This is a legitimate concern which could see United’s announcement over Ten Hag delayed to suit Ajax, so not to disrupt their season, until it ends in mid-May.
But rivals PSV Eindhoven, who could scupper Ajax’s chances in both competitions, have shown there is an alternate path for the Dutch side to tread when it comes to their manager’s future, which could help Manchester United.
PSV provide clarity
PSV announced this week that United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will be their manager from the 2022/23 season onwards.
He will replace current boss Roger Schmidt, whose contract was due to expire. This has been bubbling under over the last couple of months, with clarity on next season’s plans finally announced.
Amid all the previous uncertainty, PSV have been doing well and fought back into title contention so closely that they are now just two points behind Ajax, and also have the KNVB Cup Final to play.
They clearly consider that to provide extra clarity to the situation over their manager will be beneficial, heading into this crucial and decisive last stretch of the season.
Ajax at present appear content to let the uncertainty over Ten Hag go on. He remains under contract beyond this season, but they acknowledge keeping him could be impossible.
Ajax technical manager Gerry Hamstra told Voetbal International: “It would be fantastic if he is still Ajax’s coach next season.
“He still has an ongoing contract with Ajax but we also all know how the world works. Erik is a professional and focuses on this season himself, on the important months ahead in which the prizes will be distributed.”
Van Nistelrooy’s appointment at Ajax shows, it doesn’t have to be a strict case that they wait until the end of the season to give the Ten Hag green light.
It may actually help Ten Hag, the Ajax players, and both media and supporters to understand the situation, if a line is drawn and it announced the manager will leave at the end of the season.
Uncertainty helps nobody, just ask Manchester United. In putting United out of their misery, Ajax can also help themselves, and start to plan for life beyond Ten Hag too, without having to go behind his back.
They can all then get on with focusing on the football between now and the end of the season, like PSV plan to do.
- 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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