Erik ten Hag has agreed to become Manchester United’s new manager starting next season.
Ten Hag will take over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who was brought in on an interim basis after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021.
Unless there are unforeseen complications, Ten Hag will become United’s coach in the summer.
Confirmation of his arrival at Old Trafford is expected to take place by the end of April. Ten Hag made it clear he will leave Ajax only if he can be assured that he will have a role in transfer decisions.
𝟭𝟬𝟬 @Eredivisie wins in only 128 league games at Ajax for Erik ten Hag. The fastest to ever do it. 👌#utraja pic.twitter.com/Medw03DVm8
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 16, 2022
When will Ten Hag be announced?
United say that a formal agreement is not yet signed, but it is understood that the 52-year old was the club’s top choice for the position, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino.
United’s tardiness in announcing the appointment stems from a desire to avoid upsetting Ajax, since they are involved in a title battle with PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie and will play them in the KNVB Cup final this Sunday.
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With five matches remaining and Ajax in first place, the Dutch club may have felt it best to wait until the end of the season to announce Ten Hag’s departure to United.
What we think
Ten Hag has thrived as manager of Ajax and, in 2019, took the Dutch giants to a Champions League semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.
He could lead the club to a third Eredivisie title in five years but will face a much bigger challenge with Manchester United, who are currently going through a tough period.
The future of several players and the club’s prospects for Champions League football next season mean that Ten Hag will have a lot to deal with in his first weeks as head coach.
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