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The reaction of Mauricio Pochettino to Erik ten Hag landing the Man Utd job is revealed, and Aston Villa are close to their first summer signing – both in all the latest Transfer Gossip.

POCHETTINO STUNNED BY TEN HAG TO MAN UTD

Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly been left feeling perplexed at Manchester United’s appointment of Erik ten Hag after suddenly learning the Dutchman was the favoured candidate.

United announced Ten Hag as their new manager on Thursday morning following weeks of deliberation. The Red Devils had their eye on the 52-year-old because of his fantastic spell at Ajax.

He will leave the Eredivisie club at the end of the season with potentially three league titles to his name. He also guided Ajax to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2019.

However, Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino was also a leading candidate for the Man Utd job. In fact, United reportedly enquired about bringing him in permanently before going after interim coach Ralf Rangnick.

And The Athletic has now claimed that the timing of the news that Ten Hag was United’s preferred candidate was ‘awkward’ for Pochettino.

Indeed, he was unaware of such developments and had been planning how he would turn the Old Trafford club around. The former Tottenham boss was supposedly studying player profiles, the club’s structure and Manchester as a city.

However, none of that mattered when the Red Devils advanced towards Ten Hag – reportedly to Pochettino‘s surprise.

The Athletic also details how United got to their decision. Club chiefs John Murtough, Darren Fletcher and Richard Arnold flew out to Amsterdam to meet Ten Hag at the end of March.

In one of a number of ‘direct’ talks, their impression of the manager grew stronger.

Similarly, Ten Hag‘s feelings towards United grew stronger.

He subsequently had a meeting with the Glazers, who own Man Utd, and that went smoothly too. But, reportedly at no point did the club tell Pochettino of their plans.

VILLA EYE PERMANENT OLSEN DEAL

Aston Villa are in advanced talks over a permanent deal for goalkeeper Robin Olsen, according to a report.

The 32-year-old moved to Villa Park from Roma on loan in the January transfer window.

Indeed, his latest spell away from Roma is one of several since he joined the Serie A side in 2018.

However, this time he could get a permanent stay. Football Insider reports that Villa are in advanced talks over giving him a long-term contract.

Boss Steven Gerrard has been impressed with Olsen’s attitude, even if he has yet to play in his tenure.

Nevertheless, he gained Premier League experience with Everton last season in another loan move.

ROBERT PAGE ON BURNLEY RADAR

Burnley are considering making Wales boss Robert Page their new manager, according to a report.

The Clarets surprisingly sacked Sean Dyche earlier this month amid the club’s battle against relegation.

While Dyche proved his ability to keep Burnley in the Premier League on a number of occasions in his tenure, club chiefs wanted a change of plan this time around.

Caretaker manager Mike Jackson remains in charge and he has admitted that he doesn’t know when his last game will be.

According to 90min, though, Burnley have their eyes on Page to permanently succeed Dyche at Turf Moor.

The 47-year-old took charge of Wales in November 2020 and has guided them to within one game of the World Cup. They play either Ukraine or Scotland in the play-off final this summer.

Page’s contract with the national team runs until the end of their World Cup journey. That could come either with defeat in the play-offs, or at the tournament itself.

Crucially, he has also not been approached over a new deal, either. However, 90min adds that senior players in the Wales camp are pushing for Page to get a new contract.

As well as the former Port Vale boss, Burnley are eyeing up Middlesbrough’s Chris Wilder.

The post Transfer Gossip: Pochettino shocked at Man Utd actions, as Ten Hag appointment causes stir; Villa close to summer deal appeared first on TEAMtalk.