On April 12th, multiple claims in the Dutch and English press stated that Erik ten Hag has reached a verbal agreement with Manchester United to become their new manager.
It was also stated the Red Devils would look to announce the appointment after Ajax’s KNVB Cup final against PSV Eindhoven. The Amsterdam club suffered a 2-1 defeat in the final, while Ten Hag’s move to Old Trafford has still not been announced.
According to Algemeen Dagblad, Manchester United have not made it official because the Eredivisie side are in a firm position to win the title. Ajax are on top of the table, four points ahead of second placed PSV.
Former Schalke and PSV manager Huub Stevens is of the belief the Premier League side and Ajax not making a formal statement on Ten Hag could do more harm than good.
“Footballers need clarity. They are no longer little children. They know how it works. And as long as you don’t provide clarity, something will remain dormant within the club,” Stevens told Algemeen Dagblad.
“Now you have unrest in two places [Manchester United and Ajax]. Just clarify things. I think a group even respects when that happens, instead of having to hear everything from the press.
“Performance? You can’t imagine that they will suffer from that. They know they have to be champions. They cannot and should not hide. It’s not kindergarten, is it? Really, make it known to them as soon as possible.”
Stevens left Schalke and joined Hertha Berlin in 2022. He cites his own example to explain to both Ajax and Manchester United why it is best to make Ten Hag official as soon as possible.
“I informed director Rudi Assauer quite early on that I wanted to do something different and later that I thought the move to Hertha BSC was right. We then informed the group and won the cup before I left,” he explained.
“Just when players feel that something is being concealed, they become restless. The longer you wait, the more unrest. And I think it’s also nicer for Ten Hag if it’s out there. Then it’s about that, he answers a few questions but can then also emphasise that he will not answer any further questions about United during the title race.”
AD suggest Manchester United will ‘benefit’ from announcing Ten Hag’s arrival following their 4-0 loss against Liverpool on Tuesday.
