Erik ten Hag ‘contacted’ as Manchester United’s search for a new manager continues

Erik ten Hag has been contacted regarding the Manchester United manager position, according to reports.

Just this week, United’s Director of Football John Murtough said the club are ‘conducting a thorough process’ in the search for a new permanent manager, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick expected to move into a consultancy role this summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with a host of elite managers including Maurico Pochettino, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique, Julen Lopetegui and Roberto Mancini.

However, it’s Ajax’s Ten Hag who has been most strongly linked with the position this week, and we’ve taken a look at the latest reports and rumours surrounding United’s pursuit of the 52-year-old.

‘Contact made’

Journalist Jonathan Shrager tweeted on Thursday night to say that United have contacted Ten Hag ‘to find out his situation’.

However, no further details were provided and it’s very plausible that the club have contacted several managers.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mail claim Ten Hag has ‘his heart set’ on joining the Red Devils in the summer, with Ajax aware of his desire to leave at the end of the season.

They add the Dutchman has been learning English ahead of a switch to the Premier League and he plans to bring coach Mitchel van der Gaag with him if he were to be handed the reins at Old Trafford.

United are impressed with Ten Hag’s style of play and ability to deal with both youngsters and top talents, according to 90min.

The outlet also claim United like how the manager conducts himself away from the pitch and has the support of Rangnick to take over from the current interim boss.

However, 90min believe Pochettino is still in the race to become United’s next manager and say he and Ten Hag are the ‘top candidates’ for the position.

What Ten Hag has said

The former Twente and Utrecht defender is giving little away when it comes to his long-term future and said his thoughts are very much on Ajax until the end of the season.

As per Dutch outlet Trouw, Ten Hag said recently: “At the moment I am only working with Ajax and have no further thoughts on the future.

“The focus is on this season. Right now I shouldn’t be the theme. The theme is: how are we going to win games?”