Transfer News: Erik Ten Hag In Pole Position To Take Over Man Utd In Summer

Ajax FC coach Erik ten Hag has been interviewed for the Manchester United managerial role on Monday according to reports.

The 52-year-old tactician spoke to United on Monday as the club continued the search for a permanent replacement to take over from interim coach Ralf Rangnick next season.

According to sources from Old Trafford on Tuesday, a number of candidates are being interviewed from a list that includes Paris Saint-Germain Mauricio Pochettino, Sevilla Julen Lopetegui and Spanish national coach Luis Enrique.

Thomas Tuchel is no longer considered a viable option. Ten Hag was previously linked with Tottenham and Newcastle.

United hope to make a decision before the end of next month and have the new man in place as soon as possible after the end of the season.

United are urging caution over the Ten Hag speculation. Sources insist that a research process overseen by football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher was only completed at the start of this month, allowing initial conversations with candidates to get underway which have now evolved into formal interviews.

Ten Hag's work at Ajax is known across Europe turning the Dutch Champions into modern regulars at the UEFA Champions League.

But questions over the ability to lead them to a triumph or even a semifinal/final spot could impede him from getting a green light.

Pochettino, in particular, has been the main contender alongside Ten Hag ever since United installed Ralf Rangnick as interim boss.

However, his odds have drifted in recent days and there is a growing suspicion in the Argentine’s camp that the job is now Ten Hag’s to lose.

At Ajax, meanwhile, the expectancy is that their coach will leave at the end of this campaign.

United will also have to speak to his formidable agent Kees Vos, who negotiated Robin van Persie’s move to Old Trafford from Arsenal a decade ago and only recently added Guardiola’s brother Pere to his Sports Entertainment Group.

Ajax have indicated they will not stand in Ten Hag’s way and have a good relationship with United through their chief executive Edwin van der Sar, but there would still be compensation in the region of £4million.

For now, though, it remains hypothetical. United say there is a long way to go in this process and there is no front-runner.