Manchester United may not have it all their own way if they do choose to pursue Erik ten Hag this summer, according to reports.
The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new boss with Ralf Rangnick's interim spell coming to an end when the season finishes. Ten Hag, currently in charge at Ajax, and Mauricio Pochettino have been sounded out as the two favourites for the role. Should United target Ten Hag however they are likely to have competition, reports The Times.
The Dutchman has helped Ajax dominate domestically whilst he guided them to the last four of the Champions League in 2019. His impressive work has caught the attention in Germany, where at least one club is keen on hiring Ten Hag. Other clubs within Europe are also weighing up whether to move for the 52-year-old.
Ten Hag has previously worked in Germany with Bayern Munich's B side, leading them whilst Pep Guardiola was working at the Allianz Arena. The Bavarians recently hired Julian Nagelsmann, so any Bundesliga interest is unlikely to come from them as they eye more success.
Ajax are looking to make another attempt to convince the Dutchman to remain in Amsterdam, where he has another year remaining on his contract. Ten Hag reportedly held talks with United last week and impressed, although the club made it clear he was one of four men under consideration.
Former United boss Louis van Gaal, who was axed in 2016 after two seasons at Old Trafford, urged Ten Hag to avoid taking the job due to the commercial nature of the club. He said: “Erik ten Hag is a great coach and that is always good for Manchester United. But Manchester United are a commercial club, so it’s a difficult choice for a coach. He would be better going to a football club."
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Pochettino has previously been linked with the post back when he was in charge at Tottenham, but the club opted to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after an impressive interim spell. His tenure at PSG has not gone to plan and he recently saw the Parisians get knocked out of the Champions League.
His time in Paris may come to a mutual end this summer, which would free him up to move to Manchester. Spain boss Luis Enrique is another man being considered, but he is tied up with the Spanish national side and has ruled out taking over this summer. He said: "I will be in Qatar with Spain because I have given my word and there is nothing that makes me more excited than representing my country in the World Cup. Later, we'll see."
His compatriot Julen Lopetegui, who has been in charge at Sevilla for the past two seasons, has too poured water on speculation linking him with the Old Trafford hotseat. He said: "I am where I want to be. Continue on the Sevilla bench next season? I have no doubt."
