Tottenham Hotspur summer manager target Erik Ten Hag has emerged as a potential candidate for the Newcastle United job.
According to the Mirror, Newcastle’s new Saudi owners have contacted Ajax’s Director of Football Marc Overmars about moving to Tyneside, and sources in Holland say that the Dutchman is keen to bring head coach Ten Hag with him.
Ten Hag came close to becoming Tottenham’s new manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho last season, only to end up signing a new deal to stay at Ajax, but despite the contract extension, he has still been heavily linked with several other high-profile clubs across Europe.
The 51-year-old has plenty of admirers thanks to his attacking style of play and track record with developing young superstars like Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt.
His success with the Amsterdam-based club includes two Eredivisie titles and the run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, which was famously ended by Spurs and Lucas Moura’s hat-trick.
While a move to St. James' Park to work for the richest owners in the Premier League will be tempting, what Ten Hag said after rejecting Spurs hints that himself and Overmars will be staying put after all.
Speaking in April 2021 after signing the contract extension, Ten Hag said: “I know what I have here. I know who I am working with, I know what the ideas are, I know what goals we have. I’m happy here.
“We're having a lot of success and that happens in a certain way, it gives off a good vibe, and you get credit for that in the Netherlands and also abroad.
“You know what it is like with outside of football rumour...it tells you that we're doing good work at Ajax. Then interest comes for the players, but also for the coaches.
“I'm busy with where I am at, that's at Ajax, that's where my head and heart are at.”
In addition to these comments, Overmars also stated: “Who Erik is working with is very important to him and also that he sees that there is still room for growth in the team, otherwise it's not worth it.”
It seems then that prising Ten Hag away from Ajax will not be straightforward for Newcastle’s owners and perhaps the only way for them to secure his services would be to bring in Overmars as well.
