Manchester United could be handed an easy fix on their manager front this summer, with Erik ten Hag returning to Ajax and Graham Potter going to Old Trafford to replace him.
That’s at least according to journalists Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen, who insist Ajax are still hoping they can lure their former manager back from Manchester United this summer.
Ten Hag appears to be heading towards the exit at Old Trafford, with last weekend’s win over Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final seen as the straw that broke the camel’s back after a difficult season, despite them reaching a second successive FA Cup final with the result.
The belief is that Ten Hag is not happy at the club and with INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe now in charge of football operations, a change could be sought.
They certainly haven’t moved to fully back the Dutchman since their investment and partial takeover at Manchester United was completed earlier this year.
That’s added to the speculation and Ajax have been waiting and watching in anticipation as a result. They’re also looking for a new manager this summer and Ten Hag is still fondly thought of by club and fans alike for the work he did there before leaving for Manchester United in 2022.
They’d look to have him back and Verweij believes there could be an easy solution, which includes Graham Potter returning to the Premier League.
“Again, the information we have is that he (Potter) is not number one at Ajax either,” he said.
“Ajax wants Ten Hag and Kroes also wants to wait for that. It is a kind of poker game, because on the one hand you want to wait for your dream candidate, but not too long, otherwise the trainer’s carousel will start moving and you will miss your numbers two and three.
“So that is a very difficult game. Ten Hag is definitely number one.
“I also heard on English radio yesterday that Potter is waiting for Manchester United,” added Driessen.
“That would be a good swap, Potter to United and Ten Hag to Ajax. Ten Hag is just not yet convinced that he should wobble at United.”
“I still think Potter will remain comfortable in the armchair and that his preference will be for the Premier League and then you can end up with Farioli,” concluded Verweij.
