Erik ten Hag 'top of list' for another managerial job amid Manchester United uncertainty as deadline revealed

Erik ten Hag is reportedly ‘top of the list’ to become the next Ajax manager amid uncertainty surrounding his future at Manchester United.

The Dutchman has faced heavy criticism in recent weeks after a disappointing end to the season which will see United miss out on Champions League qualification. United have reached a successive FA Cup Final, but recent performances have somewhat undermined that as an achievement.

United sources insist the Ineos Group are yet to make a firm decision on what to do next with Ten Hag, but it is understood they have already conducted background checks on a number of coaches in case they decide to part ways.

There is both an argument to go in a completely new direction this summer, and another that suggests the current United manager deserves a chance to showcase his talents under a better sporting structure.

Ten Hag has had to deal with a number of high-profile incidents during his time at Old Trafford, and had to endure a relentless injury crisis across the current season, though it is understood some players believe Ten Hag's training regime are to blame for the club's injury situation.

It remains to be seen what will happen next for the United manager, but the early suggestion is that he wouldn’t be short of offers if indeed his time at the club came to a premature end this summer. Ten Hag has been heavily linked with a possible return to former club Ajax, and Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan insists he is one of the leading candidates for the role, but that there is only a month for a decision to be made.

"Alex Kroes, the Technical Director of Ajax, has Erik ten Hag at the top of his wanted list,” van der Kraan told talkSPORT. “Erik ten Hag knows about it, he knows there's an open door at Ajax and that he can be their manager next season and try and win a title there again. He added: "Alex Kroes is prepared to wait another month to see if Erik ten Hag will take the Ajax managerial job by the 1st of June."