09 March 2024 , 11:47
858
0
Ajax have drawn up a shortlist of managerial targets that includes Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag AND Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders.
The Dutch club’s new chief executive Alex Kroes has been tasked with finding a replacement for stand-in coach John van ’t Schip at the end of a season which saw the Amsterdam club stranded at the bottom of the Eredivisie table after a shocking start to the campaign. Lijnders is regarded as the most realistic option given that he will leave Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp quits Anfield at the end of the season and has ambitions of landing a senior role.
But sources close to Ajax have confirmed that Kroes has not ruled out offering Ten Hag an escape route out of Old Trafford. Ajax are now fifth in the Eredivisie and are not prepared to pay compensation during their search for a new boss.
New United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to make a decision on Ten Hag’s future at the end of the season and the Dutchman may even walk away from the final year of his contract in Manchester if he is not given assurances by the club about the power he will be given.
Ten Hag guided Ajax to three successive Dutch titles as well as taking the team to the brink of the 2019 Champions League final. But despite a promising first season at United in which he secured Champions League qualification and lifted the Carabao Cup, he has been unable to build on the progress.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group are already looking at alternative managers – and if Ten Hag fails to mount a late-season rally to secure European football next season, the decision is likely to be made for him.
Lijnders, 41, has established himself as a capable No 2 under Klopp – but wants another crack at a senior job after a disastrous five-month stint as coach of Dutch club NEC Nijmegen in 2018. Klopp has handed him the first-team reigns for Carabao Cup games – and Liverpool have lifted the trophy twice in three years.
Pep Lijnders will leave Liverpool in the summer and wants a managerial role (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Erik ten Hag remain Manchester United manager next season? Comment below.
Lijnders also has a strong relationship with former Kop captain Jordan Henderson, who is two months into a two-year contract at Ajax after failing to settle in the Saudi Pro League.
Ajax have looked at the Anfield model before. A year ago, they were on the brink of making former Liverpool technical director Julian Ward their new director of football before he decided to withdraw from the process. It has been mooted that Lijnders could form a management team with former Ajax boss Frank de Boer, who would provide insight into the club’s structure and academy set-up.
Kroes, however, has a unique insight into Ten Hag’s position in Manchester. Until recently, he was a major shareholder in SEG, the super-agency that represents Ten Hag. His place was taken by Pep Guardiola ’s brother, Pere, but he remains close friends with Ten Hag’s agent Kees Vos.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our