Manchester United defensive legend Jaap Stam has warned Erik ten Hag that a move to Old Trafford would be a big step up from what he’s accustomed to at Ajax.
Manchester United will be on the hunt for a new permanent boss this summer, with current manager Ralf Rangnick only in charge on a temporary basis.
He’s set to step up in a consultancy role at the end of the season and will help lead the recruitment process for a more long-term replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ten Hag is one of the names on the list, with the Dutchman having developed into one of the best up and coming coaches after taking charge of Ajax in December 2017.
Since then, his club has shined domestically and in the Champions League, doing so despite player sales
Indeed, it is his ability to get the best out of what is available to him that really stands out, alongside his ability to develop young players into stars.
Those are very attractive to a side like Manchester United, but Stam warns that Old Trafford is a big step up from what Ten Hag has experienced in the Netherlands so far.
“Ten Hag is doing very well at Ajax; he makes the team a difficult opponent for everyone in Europe and Holland,” Tuttomercatoweb report him saying to Sky Sports Italy.
“He is very good at showing the players what to do and also at improving individual players. At Ajax, he obviously has the finances to grow the team with young players.
“For him, Man United would be another thing compared to what he is experiencing in Holland. He has to take this step forward in his career.
“Solskjaer has done a good job to bring the club back to the top five but lacks the extra quality to get back to winning ways. Rangnick came in, and some players struggled to adapt.
“Ronaldo didn’t play in the derby, then scored three goals against Tottenham. It’s always difficult to understand what goes on in a dressing room, but Ronaldo showed his strength.
“You have to involve someone like him in decisions; you have to talk to him. He’s fundamental for the locker room; he helps you raise the level of the team.
“At Man United, they don’t always play well, they should dominate games more, and in my opinion, I think they should do more. I hope the club will make better choices next season; they need to get back to the top.”
