ERIK TEN HAG could be offered an escape from Manchester United amid growing pressure, according to reports.
Ten Hag guided his team to a 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford converting penalties won by Alejandro Garnacho.
GettyErik ten Hag may be offered a Man Utd escape route[/caption]
But it will only temporarily alleviate the pressure on the Dutchman, with Man Utd staring down a campaign which may end with a record amount of Premier League defeats.
It comes with the incoming of ambitious new part owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, who have sounded out potential replacements for the Dutchman.
However, if Ten Hag leaves he would not be without suitors.
According to the Mirror, Dutch giants Ajax have shortlisted Ten Hag among managerial candidates in a list that also includes Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders.
Ajax‘s new chief executive Alex Kroes has been looking for a replacement for stand-in coach John van ’t Schip at the end of a season.
And sources have allegedly told the Mirror Kroes is not ruling out bringing Ten Hag back to his old stomping ground.
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However, they are not prepared to pay compensation for their next manager, so Ten Hag’s return would depend on his future at Old Trafford.
The win today means Ten Hag has now won 61 of his 101 games in charge at Man Utd.
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This gives him a record which is superior even to that of Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, he has recently revealed his frustration with the club’s medical department over the left-back situation with both Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw out injured after Sergio Reguilon’s loan was terminated.
Potential replacements who have been linked to replace Ten Hag should he leave include Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi, Zinedine Zidane and Gareth Southgate.
Man Utd closed the gap to Tottenham in fifth – which could be a Champions League spot depending on how English clubs perform in European competition this season – to three points with the Toffees win.
However, the last realistic chance of a trophy this season will come in the FA Cup, though they will need to beat Liverpool in the quarter-final next week if they are to keep that dream alive.
In the meantime, Man Utd have announced the creation of a special task force including Gary Neville for the regeneration of Old Trafford and the surrounding area.
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