Manchester United face an anxious wait to see if Erik ten Hag will accept the manager’s job, with Ajax’s technical director raising the possibility of him staying in the wake of their KNVB Cup final defeat on Sunday.
The Dutchman is the overwhelming favourite to step into the United hotseat with intensive talks recently held. Indeed, it was reported last week that Ten Hag has a verbal agreement in place to move to Old Trafford. Furthermore, the 52-year-old has reportedly agreed a three-year deal to make him the Premier League’s highest-ever earning Dutch coach.
In addition, it was intimated that an announcement on Ten Hag’s appointment would be made following this weekend’s Dutch cup final. With Ajax on course to lift the Eredivise title, victory in the Dutch cup final, and securing the Double, was seen as a fitting way to end his tenure.
However, a crazy three-minute period saw Ajax beaten in Sunday’s KNVB cup final. Despite taking the lead through Ryan Gravenberch’s goal from outside the area, they could not hang on.
Erick Gutierrez poked home an equaliser for PSV and three minutes later, a fine strike from reported United target Cody Gakpo earned PSV victory.
The result was extremely disappointing from Ajax, who – but for that period – were the better team throughout.
And after the match, Ajax technical director Gerry Hamstra insists nothing has yet been decided on Ten Hag.
Furthermore, Hamstra has even raised the possibility of the Manchester United managerial target staying put.
“There is interest for Erik ten Hag, that is normal. He has done fantastic,” Hamstra told ESPN.
“We hope he stays. We have to stick with the facts, he has not left yet. He still is focusing on Ajax, so do we.”
Hamstra suggests talks with Ten Hag remain ongoing and that his future is still very much up in the air.
“We did everything possible [to keep him at Ajax]. We were very busy with that. He reacted that he is focusing on Ajax now. Now we are…