Posted: 18:46, 12 April 2022 | Updated: 22:31, 12 April 2022
Eric Ten Hague was approaching Tuesday night to become the next manager of Manchester United.
He verbally agreed on the deal on Tuesday morning, after RB Leipzig had listened to the 52-year-old with a “crazy” offer at the weekend.
United responded by presenting Ten Haag with a three-year contract that includes the option for a fourth year.
Eric Ten Hague has reached an agreement in principle to take over at Manchester United
United, who lost to Everton at the weekend, look set to lose the top four
The search for a permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskier – who was fired in November – has been going on for almost two months. Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino, Spain coach Luis Enrique and Seville’s Julen Lopetegui were taken into account.
But United are ready to compromise with Ten Haag, who is trying to win the third Dutch title with Ajax this season.
The United hierarchy will meet its counterparts in Ajax in the coming days to formalize a release agreement, including a 1, 1.7 million compensation agreement.
Steve McClaren is likely to be a member of the Ten Hag staff after the couple worked together on Twente. Mitchell van der Gaag, the former center midfielder of Motherwell, is Ten Hague’s No. 2 in Ajax and is ready to follow his boss to Old Trafford.
The contracts for both assistant coaches have not yet been terminated.
Robin van Persie has been linked with a role in his old team, but there are problems with his work permit. The 38-year-old just recently returned to the Netherlands to coach Feyenoord’s youth teams, including his son, with the opportunity to move up.
Ten Haag has impressed Ajax and has hit over his weight in Europe
He will replace Ralph Rangnick, who took over after the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskj .r.
Rangnik looks set to fail to lead United to the top four, with Ten Haag starting out with the team either in the Europa League or outside Europe, making it more difficult to attract players in the summer.
Mauricio Pochettino was the other favorite to take over at United, but it seems that the former Tottenham manager and current Paris Saint-Germain coach is confused in the position.
Ten Haag has impressed with Ajax since taking over the presidency in 2017, having previously worked as a second team manager at Bayern Munich when Pep Guardiola was in charge of Bavaria.
The 52-year-old led Ajax to the semifinals of the Champions League in 2019, where they lost to the Spurs thanks to a dramatic goal by Lucas Moura.
United play in the Premier League and spent another year without trophies
Ten Hague will have a huge job on his hands when he takes the reins.
United fans are still protesting the ownership of the club with Glazer and many believe that the glory of Sir Alex Ferguson’s time will be impossible to regain without being sold by the Americans.
Ten Hague will undoubtedly want to leave Ajax on positive terms and could do just that with a home double.
His team is four points away from PSV at the top of the Eredivisie and has the chance to win it in the Cup this Sunday.
