Erik ten Hag is close to being named as the next Manchester United manager with the club discussing his exit with Ajax, according to reports.
The current Ajax boss was among the favourites to take charge at Old Trafford this summer once Ralf Rangnick's interim spell comes to an end. Ten Hag has previously held discussions with the United hierarchy and is, again, in dialogue with them over potentially filling the role, according to Sky Sports.
The Premier League side are currently speaking with the Dutch side, according to the Daily Mail, as they seek to finalise what it would take to lure him away from the Johan Cruyff Arena. His compensation package sits at £1.6m, but that is likely to go beyond £2m once his staff are also factored in.
Ten Hag's stock has risen rapidly at Ajax with the Amsterdam outfit again the dominant force domestically and talks with the Red Devils are reportedly at an advanced stage. The 52-year-old has also performed impressively in the Champions League despite working with fewer resources than his rivals, reaching the semi-finals in 2019.
United co-chairman Joel Glazer will have the final say on matters and favours a move for Ten Hag, reports ESPN. He and chief executive Richard Arnold are on the same page regarding the Dutch manager. The search for a new boss has been led by football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher.
The Ajax boss has begun seeking out possible assistants should he get the role at Old Trafford. Ten Hag wants compatriots who have experience on the red half of Manchester. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Jaap Stam are all among those being considered.
Van Nistelrooy recently took charge at PSV Eindhoven and would appear unlikely to leave his role. Van Persie meanwhile works at Feyenoord, assisting the team's U16 side. Stam is the only man currently out of a job with his last role coming in the US with FC Cincinnati.
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“If they would ask me (to take a coaching/managerial role), I would do it straight away without a doubt," Stam recently told bettingexpert. “You know United is my life as well. I’ve had great seasons over there, won trophies and it’s been very important for me. In any way, if I could help them out, I would be tempted to do it.
"I know they are probably not going to come and call me, but also in a different role, and that counts, I think, for every player who has played for United. I think everyone is very eager to help the club and hopefully, bring them to the absolute top level."
Steve McClaren is another man who could end up being United's number two. Ten Hag worked under the former England boss at Twente and may turn to him should he be appointed. McClaren was assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson between 1999 and 2001 before opting to step out on his own.
Ten Hag is not the only man being considered by United with Mauricio Pochettino also seen as a possible target. The Argentine was on the club's radar when he was in charge at Tottenham before the club appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his interim period.
