A series of major updates on Erik ten Hag’s imminent instillation as the new manager of Manchester United have been confirmed on Monday evening.
Ten Hag, of course, has been hotly tipped to take his talents to Old Trafford in the summer for some time now.
This comes with Ralf Rangnick preparing to call time on his interim stint in charge at United, and the club’s board understood to have identified Ajax’s boss as their first-choice target to replace the German.
And, if the latest word stemming from the media late on Monday is anything to go by, then an official announcement regarding the two parties joining forces ahead of the 2022/23 campaign could be forthcoming sooner than thought.
As per a report from Fabrizio Romano and Jamie Jackson of The Guardian:
‘Manchester United are set to announce Erik ten Hag as their new permanent manager once the terms of his €2m release clause from Ajax are finalised in the coming days.’
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Erik ten Hag during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam at Johan Cruijff Arena on April 9, 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Photo by Geert van Erven/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Such confirmation could be forthcoming as early as Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, on the back of the Red Devils’ upcoming meeting with Liverpool.
Ten Hag, for his part, is primed to put pen to paper on either a three-year contract with the option for a further year, or a straightforward deal through the summer of 2026.
This comes after a ‘key demand’ on the part of the Dutchman was green lighted by those in a position of power in Manchester – ‘to be allowed the final decision on transfers together with the club executive.’
Manchester United set to confirm Erik ten Hag as new manager in coming days. By @FabrizioRomano and @JamieJackson___ https://t.co/JARKYwliOu
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) April 18, 2022
PSV triumph
Word of his imminent arrival at Old Trafford actually caps off something of a roller coaster 24 hours for Erik ten Hag.
This comes after the 52-year-old saw his efforts to secure a final KNVB Cup title as Ajax boss come up short at the last, owing to a 2-1 showpiece defeat at the hands of fierce rivals PSV Eindhoven.
Despite taking the lead in the clash courtesy of Ryan Gravenberch, strikes on the part of Erick Gutierrez and Cody Gakpo early in the 2nd-half ensured that it was PSV who added to the club’s trophy cabinet once more, at the expense of the Eredivisie table-toppers.
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