Manchester United
Premier League • England
De Boer says Dutch contender would be ‘crazy’ to snub Man Utd, despite being wrong step
Erik ten Hag would be “crazy” not to take the Manchester United job, even though Ronald de Boer believes it would be the wrong fit for the Ajax coach.
Ten Hag has been touted as a contender to take over the United reins on a full-time basis. Michael Carrick has been handed the temporary role, but the club are looking to get an interim coach ahead of making a long-term appointment. The timescale is unclear, but after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was axed on Sunday, United are now looking for their fifth boss since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
Zinedine Zidane and Brendan Rodgers have been heavily mentioned.
Rodgers though recently reaffirmed his commitment to Leicester. As for Zidane, his camp have been quiet.
According to Sky Sports, former Tottenham and current PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is the club’s ‘first choice‘. Second on their list is reportedly Ten Hag.
They report Ten Hag would “100 per cent” be interested in succeeding Solskjaer.
Ten Hag is highly regarded in Europe and he has helped Ajax win both the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup on two occasions since joining the club in 2017.
His side hammered RKC Waalwijk 5-0 on Sunday and afterwards he was quizzed about the Old Trafford role.
“I am focused on my team. We have a brilliant squad and we want to achieve a lot,” Ten Hag said.
“We have a brilliant squad, we want to fight for titles. My focus is on Ajax, the rest only distracts. I expect from my players that they are focused on Ajax, so I have to give the right example for that too.
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Man Utd ‘not the best step’ for Ten Hag
“You keep asking me [about my position as Ajax manager], yes it is a weird question. I heard nothing about [United’s interest], so I can’t think about it.”
However, former Ajax star De Boer admitted it would be hard to turn down such an opportunity. Even if the 51-year-old believes a move to Germany would probably suit him better.
“He would be crazy if he didn’t do it. But it is not the best next step for him. It is best if he can go to Germany.
“He has gained experience at Bayern Munich and speaks the language fluently,” De Boer said, as quoted by FC Update, via Sport Witness.
READ MORE: The eye-watering cost of sacking managers at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson departed