By Yusuf Mutiu
Manchester United has confirmed Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will become the club’s new manager this summer.
Ten Haag, 52, has agreed to a three year deal with the Red devils with the option of extending for a further year. He will replace Ralf Rangnick, who’s expected to take a consultancy role in the club next summer.
Eric’sc fine philosophy of play has put him among the best gaffers in Europe over the past recent years, and he’s been touted to have managed European giants Barcelona PSG and other clubs in the last month.
The Dutchman who’s closing in on securing a third Eredivisie title with Ajax has been a longstanding replacement of Ralf in the Manchester United dugout.
United currently sit sixth in the summit, and they will make a trip to North London on Saturday to play against fellow top 4 hopefuls, Arsenal on Saturday, after a disappointing outing against Liverpool on Tuesday, where they were trounced four goals to nil.
Ten Hag said: “It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United, and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead. I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.
“It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.
“I’m happy that it has been finalised and that it has been officially announced. That clarity is important. But I only have one interest now, and that’s these last five games.
“I want to finish my time here on a positive note by winning the league. By doing so, we’ll qualify directly for the Champions League. Ajax belongs there.”
United football director John Murtough added: “During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.
“In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at and his drive and determination to achieve that.
“We wish Erik the best of luck as he focuses on achieving a successful end to the season at Ajax and look forward to welcoming him to Manchester United this summer.”
Ajax chief executive and former United keeper Van der Sar, 51, said: “Four-and-a-half year is a good amount of time, but we would have liked to have kept Erik at Ajax for longer. He is going to make the step to one of the biggest clubs in the world, in a fantastic league.
“We owe Erik a lot of thanks for what he has achieved with Ajax so far, but we are not done yet. At the end of the season, I will look back more extensively on his departure. For now, what matters is the final games of the season in which we all want to bring home the league title.”
