Manchester United assistant in the frame for top managerial job

Manchester United assistant Mitchell van der Gaag is understood to be in the frame to become the next manager of Ajax.

The Dutch giants have begun their search for their next permanent manager with Erik ten Hag's trusted coach one of those under consideration.

Van der Gaag has been an assistant in his last two jobs at Ajax and United but does have plenty of senior managerial experience from earlier on in his career. The 52-year-old coached Maritimo, Belenenses, Ermis, FC Eindhoven, Excelsior and NAC Breda before he joined Ajax reserves and was then promoted to the senior set-up by Ten Hag.

The United assistant is just one of a number of names on the managerial shortlist with Dutch magazine Voetbal International claiming Liverpool assistant boss Pepijn Lijnders is also being considered for the job in Amsterdam. Lijnders will leave Anfield this summer as part of Jurgen Klopp's departure from the club. Frank de Boer, Joseph Oosting, Dick Shreuder and Albert Stuivenberg are other names to have been linked with the Ajax job.

Ajax have suffered a drop-off in recent years following Ten Hag's move to Old Trafford two years ago. The United manager won the Eredivisie title three times between 2018 and 2022, but they only finished third last season and are currently fifth in the Eredivisie.

Van der Gaag's future could well depend on what happens next at United, with Ten Hag also facing an uncertain future at the helm of the club. He is expected to stay in charge until at least the end of the season but the Ineos Group will likely consider their options as they target a 'best in class' approach across all departments.