Ten Hag sack: Could Man Utd boss return to Ajax this summer?

Imre Himmelbauer

• Updated: 5 Apr 2024 17:01 BST
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag does not want to return to Ajax, according to a report.

The coach left the Amsterdam club in the summer of 2022 to take over at Manchester United. After a good debut season, performances this year have been disappointing, which is why it is thought that the Dutch coach could leave this summer.

The 4-3 defeat against Chelsea on Thursday evening has been called "a chaotic, ultimately damaging mix" for Ten Hag's position by The Athletic. United managed to fight back to a 2-3 lead after being 2-0 down but still gave up the spoils in the final phase of the game.

"To what extent that final implosion is down to players lacking game intelligence or the manager’s messages is a crucial aspect for INEOS to rule on, but the pattern has been seen before this season against Arsenal, Copenhagen and Galatasaray."

READ MORE: Ten Hag needs to give Rashford a 'kick up the a**e' to save Man Utd job - Keane

Ten Hag still in demand

Despite the disaster that this season has been, the Dutchman remains a highly-rated coach. "Ten Hag is expected to have options himself come the close of the season. Several clubs in Europe view Ten Hag’s first season as an overachievement given what he inherited, and this campaign as under-par, translating to an overall good job."

The outlet then claims that several policymakers at Ajax hope for the return of their eminently successful former coach. "However, it is unclear whether this is the case after the suspension of CEO Alex Kroes, while Ten Hag does not want to return to Amsterdam."

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Ten Hag was appointed coach of Ajax in January 2018. Under his stewardship, Ajax won three national titles and two TOTO KNVB Cups. He also managed to guide Ajax to the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2018/19 season, by eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus.