Erik Ten Hag, the manager of Ajax, has replied to reports linking him with the Manchester United managerial post.
Ten Hag was reportedly high on United’s list of options for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if the Norwegian was dismissed, according to The Times and other sites. The manager has now downplayed his chances of leaving Ajax.
Ten Hag’s statements effectively rule out a move away from Ajax in the middle of the season.
While having a chat with ESPN Netherlands, he said:
“I live in the present, so I find it hard to answer this. I always want to improve my team, and as long as I feel this motivation I want to keep going if Ajax wants that too. I am happy at Ajax. I can work there in a good way. “
🙅 Waarom staat Erik ten Hag niet open voor Newcastle United? pic.twitter.com/BKwDG0HG4z
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) November 14, 2021
Given how smoothly Ajax’s season is going, it felt like we already knew this. With four wins from four games, Ajax leads the Eredivisie and their Champions League group.
Solskjaer’s departure now would be premature, and if United can’t wait until May to fire him, they’ll have to hunt for another manager, either an interim or a permanent one. Even if United waited until next summer, there’s no guarantee Ten Hag would show up.
United could try to sway Ten Hag’s opinion by offering Ajax a substantial fee for his release. If Ajax is persuaded to accept this, he may decide that moving on is in the club’s best interests and that their devotion to him is not as strong as he believes.
It’s a long shot, but if United believes Ten Hag is the man, reaching out to Ajax to talk about it is still worth it.
