‘Erik ten Hag should join a football club, not a commercial club’
Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has warned Erik ten Hag against taking the Manchester United job if the Ajax manager is offered the role.
Van Gaal, who took charge of the Red Devils from 2014 to 2016, has suggested that his fellow countryman should join a ‘football club’ rather than a ‘commercial club’ if he is to leave Ajax.
United have reportedly spoken to Ten Hag about potentially becoming the club’s next permanent manager, and despite also placing Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui on their shortlist, it is believed that he is the first coach they have met about the vacant role.
Van Gaal believes Ten Hag should avoid Old Trafford
The 52-year-old Ten Hag, who has been Ajax manager since December 2017, has helped the Amsterdam club win two league titles and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.
Although his contract with the Dutch club expires at the end of next season, and he is expected to move on in the summer, Van Gaal believes that he should avoid Old Trafford and join a ‘football club’ instead.
“Erik ten Hag should join a football club, not a commercial club. Manchester United is a commercial club,” he said.
Louis van Gaal: "Erik ten Hag should join a football club, not a commercial club. #mufc is a commercial club." #mulive [@TheEuropeanLad]
— utdreport (@utdreport) March 28, 2022
The Red Devils are searching for a permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked by the club last November.
Ralf Rangnick is currently working as the club’s interim boss until the end of the season, at which point he will move into a consultancy role.
Ten Hag has asked about United’s ‘plans for the future’
It is thought that Ten Hag is keen to coach in the Premier League, and during his meeting with the United hierarchy, he asked about their budget and ‘plans for the future’.
According to the Daily Mail, he has also been undertaking ‘advanced English lessons’ and he impressed the club with his grasp of the language.
Related links:
- Man United one of three major options for Erik Ten Hag
- Man Utd want ex-player to be Erik Ten Hag’s assistant
- Man United have spoken to Erik ten Hag about becoming the club’s next manager
