Man United manager Erik ten Hag lifts lid on his thoughts on a return to Ajax | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag would be happy to return to Ajax in the summer should he be relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager.

The 54 year old spent a trophy-laden four and a half years at the Amsterdam club, winning three Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups.

His youthful Ajax side’s run to the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League also caught the imagination of Europe and cemented him as one of the top managerial prospects on the continent.

However, despite a successful first season at Old Trafford, this one has turned incredibly sour.

United find themselves in sixth place with both Newcastle and Chelsea breathing down their necks with four games remaining. There was also an embarrassing Champions League exit where they conceded 15 goals in just six matchdays.

As a result, the rumour mill has been going into overdrive about who will replace the under-fire coach, with names such as Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi and Graham Potter all in the mix.

In terms of Ten Hag’s future, his former side Ajax are said to be keen on reuniting with him after suffering a horrendous season themselves.

The Dutchman is the Ajax board’s “dream candidate” to take the role and now it seems Ten Hag could have similar positive feelings about a reunion.

Speaking to Viaplay (via The Metro) Ten Hag was bullish about his United future claiming, “I signed my contract and I am not a person who walks away. So I assume that I will be at Manchester United next season.”

Ten Hag denied any contact with his former side as of yet but he did well and truly leave the door open to a second spell at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Asked about a future return to the club he retorted, “Yes, why not? I had a very good period at Ajax.”

“I was able to work there in a very pleasant way. It is a fascinating club with many possibilities.”

The coach has cut a frustrated figure as of late and is acting like a man who knows his days are numbered, regardless of how the team perform in the FA Cup final later this month.

The non-sensical insistence that his team is playing well despite piles of evidence to the contrary and accusing fans of not understanding are the signs of a man who is feeling the heat.

Even yesterday, in an interview with Sky Sports, he publicly bemoaned United’s recent policy of buying talents over superstars, even when INEOS have already made it clear that this is also the model they will follow.

Perhaps a return to Ajax is much closer than anyone would have thought just twelve months ago.

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