Erik ten Hag reveals he is open to Ajax return if sacked by Manchester United

Ten Hag under mounting pressure at United (Picture: Getty)

Erik ten Hag is interested in returning to Ajax should he be sacked by Manchester United this summer.

The Dutchman has come under pressure at various stages during his second season at the helm at Old Trafford.

While United have booked their place in a second consecutive FA Cup final under his tenure, they have regressed in the Premier League, set to miss out on Champions League qualification having crashed out of the same competition at the group stages last December.

Serious questions have also been asked of the manager’s style of play with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS considering Thomas Tuchel as a contender for the job should they choose to replace ten Hag in the coming months, according to The Times.

Ten Hag’s former club Ajax have endured a miserable 2023-24 season, trailing champions PSV Eindhoven by 35 points with the club also beset by problems off the pitch involving its executive staff.

CEO Alex Kroes is overseeing their appointment of a new head coach with ten Hag thought to be his top target.

Speaking to Viaplay, ten Hag insisted there has been no contact with the Dutch giants over a possible return.

Ten Hag won three titles with Ajax (Picture: Getty)

The United boss did admit however he does see a future for himself back at the ‘fascinating’ club.

‘I signed my contract and I am not a person who walks away,’ ten Hag said. ‘So I assume that I will be at Manchester United next season.’

After denying contact with his former club, he was asked if he sees a future return to Amsterdam ‘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.’

Ten Hag enjoyed remarkable success at Ajax, leading the side on their superb Champions League run in 2019 and winning three Dutch titles.

United have four games of the season left, heading to Crystal Palace on Monday.

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