Celebrations: Erik ten Hag and his Ajax stars celebrate a second straight league triumph
(Picture: AP)New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was given the perfect send-off by Ajax, who clinched their latest Eredivisie title in fine style on Wednesday night.
The Dutch giants - unbeaten in the league since February - ran riot in a 5-0 demolition of mid-table Heerenveen at the Johan Cruyff Arena, with goals from Nicolas Tagliafico, Steven Berghuis, Sebastien Haller, Brian Brobbey and Edson Alvarez on a memorable night in Amsterdam.
Such an emphatic victory saw Ajax move into an unassailable four-point lead over title rivals PSV Eindhoven with only one game remaining in the 2021/22 campaign, sealing their 36th domestic title overall, second in a row and third in total under Ten Hag - sparking passionate celebrations.
Only defeat by PSV in the Dutch Cup final last month prevented Manchester United’s new manager from signing off after five years with a memorable double, while Ajax were eliminated from the Champions League by Benfica in the last-16 this term.
They finish the Eredivisie campaign with a trip to Vitesse Arnhem on Sunday in what is sure to be an emotional occasion for Ten Hag, who will begin work at Old Trafford as the permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer.
The 52-year-old will succeed interim coach Ralf Rangnick having signed a three-year contract with United until 2025 that includes the option for a further 12 months.
Ten Hag was seen as the preferred option to former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose future at Paris Saint-Germain remains in severe doubt.
The former Utrecht chief has a huge job on his hands in Manchester immediately, with United having endured a torrid campaign ahead of what is likely to be a significant summer of overhaul.
Rangnick plans to move upstairs in an advisory role, which he will combine with being the new head coach of the Austrian national team.
