Soccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax coach Erik ten Hag during training Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
(Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam coach Erik ten Hag says he will stay at the club until the end of the season despite links to the vacant position at Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga champions parted ways with Niko Kovac on Sunday after a 5-1 thrashing at Eintracht Frankfurt in the league and Ten Hag has been heavily linked to the role.
The coach signed a new contract at Ajax until June 2022 in the close season after leading the club to a league and cup double as well as the Champions League semi-finals.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax's Dusan Tadic with Daley Blind and teammates during training Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Ten Hag previously coached Bayern Munich's reserve team between 2013 and 2015.
"I can confirm I feel a strong connection with my team and everyone at Ajax," Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Ajax's Champions League clash with Chelsea.
"I can confirm I'm staying at Ajax this season. Bayern is a fantastic club, it is still in my heart, but I'm at Ajax.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax's Daley Blind and Lisandro Martínez during training Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
"I'm not a dreamer. I focus on Ajax and live for today, and tomorrow's game, which is important."
Bayern are fourth in the Bundesliga, four points behind leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach, while unbeaten Ajax are six points clear at the top of the Eredivisie.
In the Champions League, Ajax are second in Group H, level on six points with first place Chelsea after three games.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax coach Erik ten Hag during training Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
"I have a lot of respect for Chelsea but I also trust my players," added Ten Hag. "When they play as a team for 90 minutes we have a chance to win. We will go for it."
(Reporting by Rik Sharma; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Soccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax's Siem De Jong during training Action Images via Reuters/John SibleySoccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax's Dusan Tadic with Hakim Ziyech during training Action Images via Reuters/John SibleySoccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax's Dusan Tadic with teammates during training Action Images via Reuters/John SibleySoccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Training - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 4, 2019 Ajax's Andre Onana and Bruno Varela during training Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
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