Erik ten Hag breaks silence on his future after Manchester United interview

Daniel Brown

‘Manchester United is a great club with great fans’

Erik ten Hag has broken his silence on the reports linking him to the permanent Manchester United management position this summer.

The 52-year-old reportedly met with the United hierarchy last week to talk about becoming the club’s new manager, and the Dutchman is thought to be the Red Devils’ preferred candidate for the role.

Ten Hag hints that a meeting has already taken place

When asked about his interview with the Premier League giants by German media outlet Sport1, Ten Hag appeared to confirm that a meeting had taken place.

“Everyone knows each other in the industry,” he responded.

“There are always talks with representatives from other clubs, that’s normal. Manchester United is a great club with great fans.

“But I can only repeat myself: My full focus is completely on Ajax! We are already planning for the new season.”

Erik ten Hag exclusive interview with @Berger_pj on @Sport1: "There are always talks with representatives from other clubs. Manchester United is a great club with great fans". 🚨🇳🇱 #MUFC

"My full focus is completely on Ajax now. We are already planning for the new season". pic.twitter.com/p6Gjwktnl2

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 1, 2022

The Ajax boss was keen to reiterate his commitment to the Eredivisie, but did intimate that the door may be open to a move to Old Trafford in the summer.

Ten Hag added: “My focus is currently only on Ajax.

“But in football you never know. I don’t want to rule anything out. I’m currently employed here at Ajax to perform.

“With the cup final against Eindhoven, we still have eight finals left, and I need all my energy for that. Anything else would just be a distraction. I know that in football everything can change from one day to the next.

“If at some point I should decide to take the next step, I hope that people here will understand.”

Desire to manage in the Premier League ‘at some point’

When asked about his long-term plans, he replied: “If you are ambitious, you would of course want to take the next step in the Bundesliga, Premier League or La Liga at some point.

“I always tell the guys to take care of it after the season. Until then, Ajax will have full attention.”

Ten Hag – who is considered to be the leading contender to succeed interim coach Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season – is thought to be on a shortlist alongside Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has also met with United officials.

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