Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag has broken his silence on the reports linking him to the Manchester United management position this summer.
Ten Hag, 52, met with United bosses last week to talk about becoming their new manager and is thought to be the leading candidate to take the job on a permanent basis this summer. He has however been dissuaded from taking the job by former United boss and fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal.
Asked about his interview with the Red Devils by German media outlet Sport1, Ten Hag appeared to confirm the 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.”
Ten Hag - who also spoke about his previous role as Bayern Munich II boss and the reports linking Ajax star Ryan Gravenberch to Bayern - initially left the door open to a move to United whilst reiterating his commitment to Ajax.
“My focus is currently only on Ajax," he declared. "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.”
When pressed on his long-term future, he added: "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."
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Ten Hag is now considered to be the leading contender to succeed interim coach Ralf Rangnick at the end of the campaign at United, however no decision has yet been made and the process is very much ongoing. It is a story that looks set to run for at least another few weeks, if not months, but the Dutchman has now seemingly confirmed he is a candidate.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino is also in the frame. Pochettino had initially been the favourite for the United job, as reported in February. Mirror Football later revealed that the Argentine was the preferred candidate among the players in United’s dressing room.
Pochettino has also met with United officials, following on from the club’s talks with Ten Hag. The Premier League club are not going to rush into a decision to appoint their new boss but remain optimistic that a decision will be reached before the end of the current campaign. Spain boss Luis Enrique is another outsider who has emerged as a major contender to be appointed at United, but is unlikely to leave his current role just months ahead of the World Cup finals.
