New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly requested for the Red Devils to leave him alone ahead of becoming the club’s new manager.
The Dutchman was confirmed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s long-term replacement at Old Trafford, Ralf Rangnick set to step aside after his interim stint in charge. Ten Hag has penned a three-year deal at Old Trafford, with the option of an extra season.
He will arrive in Manchester in the summer and in the process will bring to an end a four-and-a-half year association with Dutch giants Ajax having been in charge at the Johan Cruyff ArenA since December 2017.
It appears that ten Hag is focused on rounding off his assignment in the Eredivisie without distractions from Old Trafford. According to ESPN, the Dutchman requested for Manchester United officials not to distract him in the build-up to Ajax matches.
As per the reports, he made the request during initial negotiations, with face-to-face talks being held in the March international break. Specifically, Red Devils officials have been told not to contact ten Hag in the 48 hours leading up to games.
His current employers Ajax are currently positioned at the top of the Eredivisie and will certainly be hoping to seal the title over the final few weeks of the campaign. They sit four points clear of PSV Eindhoven with just four matches of the domestic season yet to play.
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Should Ajax claim the title, it would represent ten Hag’s third domestic league success since being appointed. The 52-year-old has also led the Amsterdam giants to the Johan Cruyff Shield, as well as two Dutch Cups. However, he was most recently beaten by PSV in this season’s final.
Whilst ten Hag is solely focused on his current job ahead of his Old Trafford arrival, questions have been asked regarding the future of current interim Rangnick. The German was appointed in November on an interim basis ahead of claiming a consultancy role.
Reports have since suggested though that he is in the running to be named as manager of the Austrian national team. Rangnick was asked about the links in the aftermath of the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford and reaffirmed his commitment to his United contract.
He said: "I would like to speak to only about Manchester United and this evening. I would like to say that I will continue with my consultancy role at the club at the end of the season.
"I am happy and willing to help Manchester United, but it will leave space for another job alongside the consultancy role but I will only speak about Manchester United this evening."
In his time at Old Trafford, the 63-year-old has overseen 25 matches in all competitions, winning just ten of those. He has failed in his task to get United back into the top four though, with the Red Devils now five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with just three games to play.
