Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is now top contender as Manchester United hoping to lock in on their search for a new permanent manager. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp offered his clear views on the Dutchman with regards to the matter.
Manchester United’s search for their new manager to replace interim Ralf Rangnick seems to have come full circle with the Dutchman Ten Hag now appearing to be the hottest consideration for the role, after earlier links with Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.
Despite his Ajax side unexpectedly losing their place in the Champions League elimination rounds to Benfica, Ten Hag’s name has been a constant at Old Trafford speculation has in fact intensified regarding the future of the former Utrecht boss since Klaas-Jan Huntelaar recently joined Ajax’s staff. Then there’s also the report emerging of him cheekily smirking when queried about his learning English.
Although at this stage neither Pochettino nor Tuchel has been ruled out, Ten Hag remains United’s prime candidate for the role, according to the Manchester Evening News, having led Ajax to the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League. This season they won all six of their group games but unfortunately lost 1-0 to Benfica in Portugal.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has also given his verdict on Ten Hag capabilities when the Reds faced off with Ten Hag’s team in last season’s Champions League.
“Erik is rightly regarded as one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football at the moment because of the work he does with Ajax,” Klopp in December 2020. “Of course, it is a wonderful club – one of the stellar names of European football – but in this moment it is clear they have outstanding leadership of the organisation and Erik is a big part of that.
“They have had to adapt in recent seasons after losing a few players to rival clubs. I remember from my own experience at Dortmund how that feels and what a challenge it is.
“How they deal with it is exceptional. The foundations of the team remain solid and they have recruited well. They have a clear identity. I love watching them, I have to say.”
Ajax lost a number of their young stars in the wake of their 2018-19 run with Matthijs de Ligt moving to Juventus for the big bucks, while Frenkie de Jong joined Camp Nou that same summer. The following year saw the exodus of Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek to the Premier League.
All that left Ten Hag with no options but to rebuild his squad roping in new talents like Sebastien Haller, Antony and academy talents Jurrien Timber and Noussair Mazraoui.
Ajax won the Eredivisie in 2020-21 by a 16-point margin, and are on track to repeat the feat as they sit in prime position fter 26 games with 77 goals scored and just 11 conceded.