The Ajax coach was one of the first to sit down with the club’s football staff in search of a new coach, but it is understandable that he did not make a 100% cast iron for his appointment. While Ten Hag is still considered the favorite, such an impression echoes the views of the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy last summer. They did not feel that Ten Hag was particularly charismatic, certainly compared to another candidate in Mauricio Pochettino. United are also aware of the mixed record of figures being adapted by the Eredivisie, and the split within their squad for the coach’s credentials. According to more than one source, Ten Haag “has not upset the people.” Whether Ten Hag would keep some of these players is another matter. The 52-year-old prepared a comprehensive file for the team, where he claimed that United has moved away from the “Champions League squad” for quite some time, with special attention to physical condition. He also named potential transfer targets, with some of those known to include Ajax players. United have insisted that they will edit more signatures from the Dutch league, after the games of Donny van de Beek and Memphis Depay. Updating the decision could very well be mere funding. While a package for Ten Hague could cost 4 less than 4 4m, with Ajax willing to let him go, United could have to pay up to 25 25m to sign Potketino. This is complicated by the labyrinthine politics around Paris Saint-Germain. While he was thinking of replacing Potketino, especially after this season’s Champions League debacle, a change over him is more likely. Leonardo is almost certain to be replaced as football director. PSG is also well aware of the fact that it is being “intimidated” by a coach as it seeks to consolidate its position at the top of Europe’s food chain. Pochettino is widely admired by some in the United States hierarchy, but as with Ten Haag, he is far from unanimous. The feeling remains that there is no 100% obvious choice. “It is not a situation with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City,” according to a source.
