Man Utd ‘accelerate’ manager search with Erik ten Hag interview

Manchester United have stepped up their search for their new permanent manager by interviewing Erik ten Hag on Monday, according to reports.

United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November and replaced him with Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis until the end of the season.

The latter is set to take up a consultancy role with the club after his tenure as temporary boss comes to an end.

Now, the Red Devils have taken the next steps to appoint Solskjaer’s long-term replacement by interviewing Ajax manager Ten Hag on Monday, as per the Daily Mail.

The newspaper adds that a ‘number of candidates’ are speaking with United about the role at Old Trafford, with Mauricio Pochettino, Julen Lopetegui and Luis Enrique also on their shortlist.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was believed to be a target for the Red Devils but the Mail claims he is out of the running.

Ten Hag is now the bookies’ favourite for the job, with the Dutchman’s contract expiring at Ajax in 2023.

He has been in charge of the Eredivisie side since December 2017 and has guided the club to two Eredivisie titles, while also lifting the Dutch Cup twice and the Johan Cryuff Shield once.

Ajax currently sit top of the table, two points ahead of PSV with seven games remaining this season.

The timing of these interviews are interesting, especially with reports United are wanting to conclude a deal for their new manager by ‘the end of the month’.

“Things could change [with Tuchel at Chelsea], but they won’t change quick enough for Manchester United, who are trying to wrap up their managerial process as soon a possible,” The Athletic’s David Ornstein told Sky Sports.

“They want to do it in the coming weeks, ideally by the end of March, that’s why they were speeding up the process.

“They were meeting candidates, whittling down their shortlist and hoping to get their chosen candidate in place as soon as possible, so that the next manager can be a key part of the decision making process around squad building next season and beyond.”

Orstein emphasised how big of a job United’s new boss will have on their hands, with his belief that this summer’s transfer window will be ‘crucial’ for the club.

“The transfer window will be crucial for Manchester United in terms of incomings and outgoings,” he continued.

“They’ll have to presumably rebuild a new coaching team as well and that’s why Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag have emerged as the key candidates and there may be a couple others too.”