Football News

Late Erik ten Hag hitch emerges with Dutchman demanding Ajax safety net at Man Utd

Erik ten Hag remains firmly on course to become the new Manchester United manager, though a report has revealed a potential late conflict.

The Red Devils have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to make Ten Hag their fifth permanent manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson years. The 52-year-old has earned rave reviews for the energetic and progressive football he has overseen at Ajax.

Ten Hag reportedly beat out fellow managerial hopeful Mauricio Pochettino to become the United hierarchy’s favoured choice.

The Athletic noted an agreement in principle has been struck. Though official confirmation is unlikely to be announced until after the Dutch Cup final on Sunday, April 17. The details of Ten Hag’s reported salary can be found here.

A three-year deal is on offer with an option for a further 12 months. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano and the BBC’s Simon Stone both confirmed Ten Hag is on the brink of moving to Old Trafford.

However, a fresh update from the Athletic has revealed a potential late hitch.

The outlet report Ten Hag wants to bring Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag with him from Amsterdam to Manchester.

Van der Gaag is Ten Hag’s No 1 assistant at Ajax and has top level managerial experience in his locker. He previously managed in both the Netherlands and Portugal before joining Ten Hag’s staff at Ajax last summer.

Ten Hag assistant yet to be determined

The subject of who Ten Hag will appoint as his assistant – or if indeed there’ll be several – is seemingly yet to be resolved.

Former United assistants René Meulensteen and Steve McClaren have both been linked. Indeed, the Athletic add McClaren has in fact spoken to Ten Hag about United.

However, it’s claimed there has been no dialogue opened between United and McClaren regarding bringing the ex-England boss on board.

Fabrizio Romano seemingly echoed the Athletic’s reporting when tweeting the ‘final details of coaching staff are needed’.

Regardless, the topic of who will back up Ten Hag doesn’t appear like it will be a deal-breaker either way.

Romano added United are ‘working to prepare’ contracts and the necessary paperwork this week.

All being well, Ten Hag should be announced as the next Manchester United manager soon after the Dutch Cup final on Sunday.

 

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