Manchester United announced Thursday that Ajax coach Erik ten Hag will take over his duties at the head of the “Red Devils”, starting from next season until June 2025.
“Manchester United is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Ten Hag as the men’s first-team coach… from the end of the current season until June 2025, with an option to extend for an additional year,” the club said in a statement.
“Over the past four years at Ajax, Eric has proven himself as one of the most enthusiastic and successful coaches in Europe, known for his team’s charisma, attacking football and commitment to youth,” said John Murtaugh, the club’s director of football.
“In our conversations with Eric leading up to this appointment, we were very impressed by his long-term vision to get Manchester United back to the level we want to compete at, and his determination to do so,” Murtaugh added.
“We wish Eric all the best as he is focused on achieving a successful end to the season at Ajax and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester United this summer.”
For his part, Ten Hag, 52, said: “It is a great honor to be appointed as Manchester United coach and I am very excited regarding the challenge ahead. I know the history of this wonderful club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of achieving the success it deserves.
“It will be difficult to leave Ajax following these wonderful years, and I can assure our fans of my full commitment and focus on finishing this season successfully before moving to Manchester United,” he added.
Despite the passing of coaches from Dutchman Louis van Gaal and Portuguese Jose Mourinho, United failed to restore the position it was in the days of Scottish Alex Ferguson, and only watched his arch-neighbor, Manchester City, crowned the Premier League champion four times since the “Sir” stepped down in 2013.
United entrusted German Ralf Rangnick with the task of coaching the team until the end of the season following the dismissal of the Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from his position in November, following nearly three years in charge of the technical management of the team in which he excelled as a player.
Since taking office in 2017, Ten Hag has led Ajax to the league and cup double in 2019 and 2020.
It is certain that the task of any coach who will take charge of the technical management of United will be arduous with a team facing a rebuilding process, especially with the arrival of stars such as French Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Uruguayan Edinson Cavani to the end of their contracts next summer.
Also, the future of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the 37-year-old who returned to United last summer, is not guaranteed following the disappointing season that saw the team exit from the Champions League final price at the hands of Atletico Madrid, and it was left behind in the Premier League following 33 stages, three points behind The last fourth place qualifies for the Champions League next season.
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