Erik Ten Hag finalized as Manchester United Manager after topping a four-man shortlist

Erik Ten Hag finalized as Manchester United Manager after topping a four-man shortlist

According to renowned sports journalist, Mark Ogden, Manchester United is set to finalize the appointment of Ajax coach, Erik Ten Hag, as the club’s next manager and is expected to manage the club from next season after the final approval of Manchester United’s executives and directors.

The 52-year-old coach was interviewed in March along with Mauricio Pochettino of PSG, Luis Enrique of Spain, and Julen Lopetegui of Sevilla after Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel were deemed unavailable due to their professional commitments to their current clubs, FC Bayern Munich and Chelsea respectively.

The search for the new manager was led by football director John Murtough and Darren Fletcher, with Joint chairman Joel Glazer having the final say in the appointment. Though some sources favored Mauricio Pochettino at United, who was even backed by Wayne Rooney, the executives agreed that Ten Hag is the best candidate to replace the interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, who will take over the position of the club’s consultant from next year.

FS Video

Why did Manchester United go ahead with Erik Ten Hag?

Realistically the main contenders were Erik Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino from the beginning, but the complications faced by the Argentine at PSG from the start of the season and the monetary strain of compensating the 1 year left in his contract at PSG, that could be around £15 million, put the Ajax coach well ahead of Pochettino.

PSG suffered a 3-0 loss at Monaco

Also, PSG’s elimination at the hands of Real Madrid put a stain on Pochettino along with other mediocre performances in Ligue 1. As a result, the Red Devils will want to avoid another Managerial failure at the club after having already sacked the likes of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunner Solskjaer.

Apart from this Rene Meulensteen, the first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson from 2007-13 is being assigned as Ten Hag’s assistant.

Also read: Manchester United hold interviews for new manager candidates and are “impressed” with Erik Ten Hag