Erik ten Hag's stance on quitting Man Utd to rejoin Ajax as boss named 'top target'

Erik ten Hag would be ‘reluctant’ to quit Manchester United and rejoin Ajax at the end of the season, according to reports. The Dutchman, who left Ajax to take over at Old Trafford two years ago, has been linked with a sensational return to the Dutch giants.

Reports in the Netherlands have suggested that Ten Hag is a top target for Ajax, who will part ways with interim boss John van ’t Schip in the summer. Ajax have endured a torrid campaign by their own high standards and sit fifth in the Eredivisie with a 35-point gap to leaders PSV.

Ten Hag made his name in management at Ajax, leading them to league and cup doubles in 2019 and 2021 before joining United the following year. However, it seems as though he would be hesitant to return if his former employers come calling.

The Dutchman is ‘reluctant’ to walk away from United, according to the Daily Mail, which suggests that Ajax’s hopes of landing their old boss will depend on him being sacked. United’s owners are yet to make a firm call on Ten Hag’s future, with his role still uncertain due to the club’s lack of progress under his guidance.

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A decision is not expected to be made until after next month’s FA Cup final, when United will face Manchester City in a repeat of last year’s fixture. It remains to be seen if victory will be enough to secure Ten Hag’s job at Old Trafford or if he will be given the boot regardless of the result at Wembley.

Even if Ten Hag is sacked by United, it is said that he would prefer to take a job in one of Europe’s top five leagues rather than go back to Ajax. The fact his former club are in a transitional period is unlikely to appeal to Ten Hag, who has spent the last two years in a similar situation at United.

Ajax are said to have other irons in the fire, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter thought to be among the candidates to manage them next season. It was reported earlier this month that Potter had been sounded out for talks but it remains unclear if he would be willing to accept the job.

Nice boss Francesco Farioli has also been linked with a potential move to Ajax after guiding the French club to fifth place in Ligue 1. However, there is likely to be no shortage of competition for his signature, with L’Equipe reporting that AC Milan and Napoli have been weighing up moves of their own.