When Tottenham were stumbling under former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the club quickly let the Portuguese manager go. Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was available after leaving his job with Inter Milan. Manchester United had the opportunity to sign Conte, but they dilly-dallied.
Tottenham have climbed up the table and claimed one of the Champions League slots, while Manchester United are still searching for a permanent manager with a few weeks to the end of the season. The situation at Old Trafford is somewhat uncertain.
Manchester United have been searching for a manager who would take over from Ralf Rangnick. Several names have popped up as the likely choice, with bookmakers putting Erik Ten Hag as the top candidate. However, it seems the choice of Ten Hag is under threat as RB Leipzig are trying to beat United to the punch.
Leipzig plot audacious move for Ten Hag
Ajax sit at the top of the Eredivisie, four points ahead of closest rival PSV Eindhoven. The club seems to have lost the swag with which it dispatched teams early in the season, and the top hierarchy at Ajax believe the current manager Ten Hag is losing focus.
The noise surrounding the departure of Ten Hag from Ajax have raised a few decibels in the past few weeks. While Ajax will not stand in his way, the club remains irritated by the deal being in limbo.
While Manchester United continue to ponder, a new competition has come for the Mancunian side as they try to land the Dutch manager. RB Leipzig are working behind the scenes to beat United to the signature of the Ajax manager.
United are still in play for Ten Hag, but sources claim that the Bundesliga side is interested and is trying to capitalise on United’s slow negotiations with Ten Hag.
Ten Hag and United - which way forward?
According to Telegraph Sport, talks between United and Ten Hag are advancing after the Dutchman presented his terms to United last week. United told him they were keen for him to be their next manager after concluding he was the best option of the lot on the list.
The reports also claim that the 52-year-old did not demand total control over transfers and has been irritated by such suggestions. The media outlet suggests that Ten Hag has wanted a significant say in signings and departures. Ten Hag has also asked for time to rebuild the team. Manchester United are looking likely to miss out on Champions League football. It should allow for fewer distractions in rebuilding the squad.
United remain firm favourites to land Ten Hag but are wary of the interest by RB Leipzig. Suspicions at Old Trafford are that the Leipzig interest is Ten Hag’s camp trying to gain more leverage in the talks. It will be embarrassing for United if Ten Hag joins Leipzig.
If a deal is agreed on, Ajax will get a compensation of around £1.7 million.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
