Erik ten Hag has dropped a hint on the future of Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford if he's appointed Manchester United manager in the summer.
MEN Sport understands the Ajax boss is one of the frontrunners to take charge at United before the start of the new season. Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is also in the running for the position.
As Ten Hag continues to be linked with a summer move to Old Trafford, the Ajax boss has vented his frustration at the fact he is constantly tasked with rebuilding his squad after his best players are sold. He explained in the Mirror : "The lifespan of our team has always been short in recent years.
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"I understood - and still understand - the sale of players. But you can hardly cope with such bloodletting if you want to continue to play a significant role in the Champions League. You need giant players for that - and Ajax can not buy that calibre of players."
If Ten Hag was to become United manager, there's a chance Rangnick could remain in the dugout at Old Trafford. The Dutchman explained that he would have liked to have had Marc Overmars on the bench alongside him when he was sporting director at the Eredivisie club.
It is believed that Rangnick will take up a consultancy role once a new manager is appointed Old Trafford - a role similar to that of a sporting director.
"Ideally, I wanted Marc on the bench. I don’t have to think twice about that," Ten Hag added. "I started to believe in that construction when I was working in Germany.
"There is hardly a better education for a coach or a manager. I love the German model.
"In Germany, it is a common thing that sporting directors sit right next to you on the bench there. If you have a good sporting director, you know he takes a lot of the noise away around the manager - both internally and to the outside world.
"He will back you up and will also take away all the hassle with football agents. That way I can fully concentrate on the team and the development of the players.
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"I can only see the advantages of a sporting director close to you on the bench. I want a sporting director who can be honest and straight. If something is not right, you know quickly and can be told to your face because you work with each other every day."
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