Erik ten Hag will join Man Utd on a three-year deal - with option of a further year - in the summer; Dutchman thinking about his plans for when he takes over at Old Trafford but says "my head and energy is for Ajax" as they go for a third Eredivisie title in four years
Sunday 24 April 2022 07:41, UK
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag says he is spending time making plans for Manchester United ahead of becoming manager at the end of the season.
Ten Hag, who was confirmed by United as their new manager on Thursday, still has to decide on who will be part of his coaching staff at Old Trafford and is facing a big summer of recruitment with many players expected to leave.
But he still has a title race to win in the Eredivisie with Ajax, who secured a late 1-0 victory over NEC on Saturday afternoon to move seven points clear of PSV at the top of the table, although PSV later won their game at Cambuur to return to within four points.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag said: "I always keep focused on the job I have to do, it doesn't matter what's around me."
Pressed on whether he had spent time organising his plans for United, Ten Hag added: "You always spend time on the future, but my head and my energy is for Ajax."
While Ajax march towards a third title in four years, United's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League took a significant blow on Saturday as they lost 3-1 at Arsenal.
They are now six points adrift of Arsenal in fourth, with four games left to play.
But Ten Hag refused to discuss the struggles of his future team, saying: "I don't have any opinion about Man Utd's results because I show respect for people who are at Man Utd, and I am for responsible for Ajax and that is what I comment on."
Ajax want to see renewed focus from Erik ten Hag and his squad now that his appointment as the next Manchester United boss is out of the way.
There has been concern within the club that the distraction of negotiations over the last few weeks could completely derail their season.
Although United's discussions were conducted with respect to Ajax's commitments, one of those ended in failure last weekend when they allowed PSV Eindhoven to come from behind to win 2-1 and deny them a third successive Dutch Cup.
A shroud of uncertainty hung over Amsterdam in the build up; Ajax banned English journalists from press conferences and stopped Dutch media asking about United, after news of a verbal agreement between Ten Hag and United broke last week.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Ten Hag did not communicate on the United subject with Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Saar - a former United number one goalkeeper - neither did he with his staff and the players.
And sources close to the Ajax dressing room have told Sky Sports News there has been frustration that this cloud lingered into the Cup final weekend, as well as concern the process could impact their bid for a third successive Eredivisie title.
PSV still have the chance to come from behind again across the final four games to win the league, sitting just four points behind Ajax, who face tough away trips to AZ Alkmaar and Vitesse, while Eindhoven's most difficult fixture is a trip to Feyenoord.
De Telegraaf's back-page headline on Saturday morning in fact claimed Ten Hag's title bid is "hanging by a thread".
Ten Hag was quoted by another Dutch publication on Friday stating he still "wanted to be a success with Ajax one more time" this season and a third successive Eredivisie shield would be considered just that.
Striker Sebastian Haller also insisted to Sky Sports News on Friday that Ten Hag is nothing but the ultimate "professional".
Ajax are now demanding that total professionalism from him for the remainder of the campaign and to see out his five-year spell at the helm with glory.
Ten Hag expects his high standards to be met at Manchester United and says he will have a big say in transfers, which was a condition for him taking the manager's job.
"I am ultimately responsible and accountable for the results," he told Dutch newspaper Trouw. "I don't want to be the sole ruler, I stand for cooperation, but control in transfers is a condition for me."
Ten Hag added he will also not be afraid to confront underperforming players when he takes up his first role in the Premier League.
"I will not change my view on coaching," he said. "The material always determines how you play, but I set the requirements that come with it and the standards.
"I tell who has what task and those who don't meet it, will be told that, regardless of who it is. I make no concessions in that regard.
"I definitely protect people outwardly. Internally, it can be different if someone has crossed a line. Ultimately, it is a top sport. You have to be able to trust each other, otherwise, you can't get results.
"If my protective attitude comes at the expense of myself, so be it. I am the manager, the leader, I do that in the interest of getting results."
