Ajax

The Dutch coach's friends and former charges say he is a football-obsessed control freak who's hugely loyal to his players.

While teammates had to train once a day, the young wingers Arnautovic and Elia had to train three times at Twente. “In the end we often played foot volleyball against Ten Hag and Rutten. We had better technique, were fitter, but sometimes they won. For Elia it is clear Ten Hag has outgrown the Netherlands, pointing at the increasing criticism of his expressive behaviour on the touchlines and for his direct views to the media when he suspects that one of his players is being harmed. “Someone with whom he can fully implement his vision.” Elia adds: “It always takes a while before he bends a club to his will, because he professionalises everything. Rick Kruys is currently Utrecht’s caretaker coach and was an assistant to Ten Hag. “A world opened up for me,” he says. That all the signals point to United favouring him will be due not to his image but to his astonishing results with Ajax, especially the dream Champions League campaign in 2019 when Real Madrid and Juventus were beaten in impressive style and only Tottenham blocked Ajax’s path to the final in the last second. His skittish facial expression, suspicion of the interviewer, know-it-all attitude and stiff manner of speaking often with a hoarse voice made him the target of ridicule. Ten Voorde describes once riding into Ten Hag when he was threatening to win a cycling race and broke his own arm. “Erik has always looked in other kitchens to see how they work,” says Ten Voorde, “then created his own vision.” With a win he sends an applause-emoticon, after a loss: “How could that happen?” They went to school together in Haaksbergen, played football together at the local amateur club, Bon Boys, and were altar boys at the same time. But the lines of communication always remain open, including those players considered “difficult”, such as Eljero Elia, Marko Arnautovic and Hakim Ziyech. He spends an endless amount of time with them, immerses himself in their culture and continues to send encouraging messages after their paths have parted. He sends his players video clips of opponents, provides tips and is in constant conversation with them, even about which newspapers they should read or what time they should be in bed.

Erik ten Hag is expected to become the next manager of Manchester United but is refusing to answer questions on the subject, as his current side Ajax chase ...

If at some point I should decide to take the next step, I hope that people here will understand." I know that in football everything can change from one day to the next. "Everyone knows each other in the industry," Ten Hag told German outlet Sport1 when asked about the United job earlier this month. "There will be no radio, no newspapers, no Sky Sports News. They don't want him asked, in English, about Manchester United. His English isn't that great, either. "I am not reacting to rumours... Interim manager Ralf Rangnick will remain in charge until the end of the season before starting a two-year consultancy gig.

The Amsterdam giants beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 on Saturday evening, but when questioned about a move to Man United ahead of the match, Ten Hag gave an angry ...

I want to talk about the game and not about other things and whether or not I've had conversations. Questions about the game or I am going inside." Ajax boss Erik ten Hag reacted angrily when questioned on a possible move to Manchester United ahead of his team's Eredivisie clash with Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday.

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag refused to answer questions about his imminent move to Manchester United after his club's win over Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday.

But that's all I can say”. 🚨🇳🇱— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) #MUFC We’re talking about the games we need to focus on. We don’t talk about that together.

Ajax coach Erik ten Hag is refusing to take questions involving Manchester United as the Eredivisie title race enters the final stretch.

Need a VPN? Or seeking to switch? When the reporter again pushed to ask question on United, Ten Hag gave a firm response of: "Questions about the game or I am going inside". Ten Hag reiterated his point moments later when the reporter suggested some questions could be asked after discussing the game, to which the Ajax boss said: "I am not reacting to rumours".

RB Leipzig have reportedly held talks with Erik ten Hag's representatives despite the Ajax boss seemingly nearing a move to Manchester United this summer.

- Man Utd set to appoint Ten Hag - reports - Man Utd set for summer shake-up, working on deal to sign Phillips - Paper Round Ten Hag is set to become United’s next permanent manager at the end of the season, with widespread reports in England claiming it is virtually a done deal.