Edwin van Der Sar has welcomed Manchester United 's interest in Erik ten Hag amid reports his former club are looking to appoint the Ajax coach as their long-term manager.
Ten Hag is among the leading candidates being eyed up by United as permanent manager when the short stint of newly-appointed interim Ralf Rangnick comes to an end and he takes up a consultancy role in the summer.
The Dutch coach has been a success with Ajax ever since taking the reins at the Amsterdam club back in 2017, guiding them to the Champions League semi-finals two years later.
A 4-2 triumph over Sporting on Tuesday night saw the current Eredivisie table-toppers join an exclusive list of clubs to win all six of their Champions League group stage games as they comfortable qualified for this season's knockout rounds.
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Ajax chief executive Van Der Sar, who spent six years as United's first-choice goalkeeper between 2005 and 2011, has opened up on Ten Hag's links to his former side, viewing the interest as positive reflection on the Amsterdam club's progress.
"This means that we are doing something well," Van der Sar told RTL 7 while addressing speculation surrounding Ten Hag with a move to Old Trafford. "It’s the same with the players. When we perform well, the interest comes.
"If there is interest in our players or coach… we’ve all been blown away in the past. So be it, we have to make sure we’re ready by then, that the lists are filled in."
Ten Hag previously turned down an approach from Tottenham earlier in the year, opting to extend his current Ajax deal which will now see him through until 2023.
Both Ten Hag and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino are reportedly keen on the long-term managerial position at United, but neither were believed to be willing to depart their current clubs in midway through this season, prior to Rangnick's appointment.
However, amid reports United may push to secure his services in the summer, Ten Hag has expressed his desire to seek a new challenge in the near future, alerting the Old Trafford hierarchy.
"I think I'm ready for it [to move to a top foreign club]," Ten Hag told de Volkskrant. "I would be happy to take up that challenge.
"But I'm not chasing it. If it turns out that that step will never come, I will not say that my coaching career has failed. But I think I have sufficient competences to take on that challenge."
The 51-year-old has emerged as one of Europe's most highly-rated up-and-coming managers having led Ajax to two league and cup doubles during his tenure.
The Dutchman has also overseen an impressive club rebuild following a mass exodus of stars in the aftermath of their 2019 Champions League success.
