Ten Hag refuses to deny he will become Manchester United

‘I serve Ajax’: Erik ten Hag declines to discuss agreeing to join Manchester United but refuses to deny he will take up the Old Trafford hotseat… as Dutchman insists his focus is still on winning trophies at his current club

  • Erik ten Hag has a verbal agreement in place to take the Manchester United job
  • United have offered Ten Hag a three-year contract with the option of a fourth
  • The Dutchman was asked why he had not spoken about his links to United
  • Ten Hag is hoping to steer Ajax to the double as he prepares to depart the club 

Erik ten Hag has refused to deny he will become the next manager of Manchester United, insisting he has not discussed his imminent move to Old Trafford out of respect for Ajax.

Ten Hag verbally agreed the framework of a deal on Tuesday morning after RB Leipzig had sounded out the 52-year-old with a ‘crazy’ offer at the weekend.

United responded by presenting Ten Hag with a three-year contract that includes the option for a fourth year.

Erik Ten Hag has remained tight-lipped on his future despite the strong links to Old Trafford

The Dutchman has kept quiet in recent weeks even as it became clear he was the preferred candidate among United bosses. 

He has stressed he remains focused on the job at Ajax, who are top of the Eredivisie and take on rivals PSV Eindhoven in the final of the Dutch Cup on Sunday.

Asked why he had not spoken about his links to United, Ten Hag on Friday said: ‘Because I serve Ajax. We need to win the two remaining trophies.’  

The search for a permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — sacked in November — has been ongoing for almost two months. Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino, Spain manager Luis Enrique and Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui were all considered.

Ten Hag has said he remains focused on winning the double with Ajax in the coming weeks

Ajax are top of the Eredivisie and are due to face rivals PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Cup final

But United are ready to settle on Ten Hag, who is attempting to win a third Dutch title with Ajax this season. 

The United hierarchy are expected to meet their Ajax counterparts in the coming days to formalise a release agreement, including a compensation deal of around £1.7million.

The deal is not expected to be formally announced until after the cup final on Sunday.

News of Ten Hag’s agreement came in a week where United fans outlined plans to protest against the Glazer ownership ahead of Saturday’s home Premier League match against Norwich.  

Dozens of fans on Friday descended on the club’s Carrington training ground to protest against the Glazers. 

Banners reading ‘Glazers out’ and ‘Disgrace – Not fit to wear the shirt’ were held up outside the gates to the complex, with United beefing up security in anticipation and calling in police. 




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