Erik ten Hag will not be rejoining Ajax this summer, but Manchester United coach Mitchell van der Gaag could be the man they turn to.
That’s according to Voetbal International, who say the Manchester United is ‘not available’ despite persistent reports he could be leaving Old Trafford.
The newspaper cover the future at the Dutch club ahead of the summer as they get set to name a new permanent manager as a replacement for John van ‘t Schip at the club.
They give a list of eight possible names to be the new Ajax manager moving forward and while Ten Hag would be the ‘dream candidate’, that won’t be happening.
According to them he is ‘not available’ at this moment in time, suggesting that he won’t be leaving Manchester United any time soon despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking charge of football operations at the club.
One of them could be the man working alongside the Dutchman at Manchester United, his coach Mitchell van der Gaag.
“The best Dutch trainers of the moment, Erik ten Hag, Peter Bosz and Arne Slot, are not available,” they write.
“Although the door is not closed in advance for a foreigner, preference is given to a Dutchman who is familiar with the philosophy and identity of Ajax.
“It will be (Alex) Kroes’ choice, but it is crucial that it becomes a broadly supported decision, which Blind and Van Gaal in particular can agree with.
“Erik ten Hag is not available, but his assistant is also doing well. Mitchell van der Gaag has been working with Ten Hag since 2021, one year at Ajax and now for the second season at Manchester United.
“Ten Hag gives his assistant a lot of responsibility as a field coach. Van der Gaag is tactically skilled and cherishes a good relationship with a number of players from the current Ajax selection, such as Brian Brobbey.”
