Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly being eyed for a return to former club Ajax this summer.

 

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly being eyed for a return to former club Ajax this summer.


Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford remains uncertain after a hugely disappointing season, which has ensured the club will not be playing Champions League football next year. The FA Cup is their only remaining hope of silverware.


It is unclear at this stage whether Ten Hag will still be in charge of United at the start of the next campaign, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group having already studied possible replacements for the Dutchman amid the club's prolonged poor run of results.


A potential escape route for the Red Devils' boss could be a return to former club Ajax, who are reportedly keen to rehire the 54-year-old. Ajax have endured one of their worst-ever seasons to date and currently sit fifth in the Eredivisie table, some 35 points behind leaders PSV.


Current Ajax coach John van 't Schip was only instilled on a short-term contract and will leave at the end of next month, paving the way for Ten Hag to take over. It is understood Ten Hag is "towards the top" of the Dutch side's managerial shortlist, which is also believed to feature former Chelsea manager Graham Potter.


The Daily Mail have claimed Ten Hag and his coaching staff are "reluctant" to walk away from their current roles to secure such a move, meaning Ajax's hopes of securing their services are likely to rely upon United sacking the man they hired in 2022.


However, the report doesn't rule out the prospect of Ajax negotiating a deal while their former manager remains in post at Old Trafford. If they did, it could potentially serve as a welcome FFP boost for Ratcliffe and United, who face paying up to £10m in compensation should they sack Ten Hag this summer.


There is a "willingness" from Ajax to see how the situation develops before the end of May, with the decision likely to be affected by how the Red Devils fare in next month's FA Cup final with Manchester City.



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