Manchester United’s search for a new permanent manager is reportedly over. According to multiple reports, the Premier League giants have decided to offer the job to Ajax’s Erik ten Hag.
The two parties have a deal in principle, although nothing has been finalized yet. Ten Hag and United still need to iron out some details regarding his salary and staff, among other things. However, with that being said, there is optimism on both sides that it will be smooth sailing from here on.
Manchester United started their managerial search in November when they parted ways with club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær after a series of bad results. The club took a slow and detailed approach, opting to hire former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis until the end of the season. A number of candidates were considered, but ten Hag emerged as the most likely candidate thanks to his success in Eredivisie and European competitions.
Since taking over Ajax in 2017, Erik ten Hag has won two national league titles and two KNVB Cup trophies. The club also looks in good shape to win the Eredivisie again this season.
Ten Hag also led Ajax to a semi-finals appearance in the Champions League in 2018–19 and quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2020–21.
Besides ten Hag, Manchester United also looked into Paris Saint-Germain’s manager Mauricio Pochettino, Spain national team head coach Luis Enrique and Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui. Pochettino was even considered the favorite for a long time, but his shortcoming in UCL this season and PSG’s unwillingness to let him go ultimately prompted United to go the other way.
