Erik ten Hag ‘could bring in a coach with connections to Manchester United’ if he is offered the manager’s job, with club legends Robin van Persie, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy ‘contenders to join his backroom team’
- Manchester United have been tipped to hire Erik ten Hag as their new manager
- Reports say Ten Hag, if he gets the job, may bring in a coach with links to United
- Robin van Persie, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy are said to be contenders
- United conducted their interview with the highly-rated Ten Hag earlier this week
Erik ten Hag may look to bring in a coach with connections to Manchester United should he be officially offered the managerial role at Old Trafford, reports claim.
Current Ajax boss Ten Hag conducted his interview with United earlier this week, as reported by Sportsmail, and is believed to be a prime candidate for the job.
Mauricio Pochettino, the Paris Saint-Germain manager, is also in the frame, but news of Ten Hag’s conversations sparked speculation he may be in pole position.
Erik ten Hag may bring in a coach with links to Manchester United if he is offered the role
Robin van Persie is reportedly one of the names linked with a surprise Old Trafford return
And in the event that he is handed the reins by the Red Devils, it is said that he may turn to individuals with prior experience of playing for the club.
The Times have named Robin van Persie, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy as the coaches who have a ‘bond’ with United and could return.
Intriguingly, Van Persie – who played in the famous red jersey between 2012 and 2015 – is represented by the same agent as Ten Hag.
Former defender Stam, meanwhile, is out of work but may have reservations about returning to coaching, the same report goes on to add.
Jaap Stam is a contender, but reports say he may be reluctant to return to frontline coaching
Ruud van Nistelrooy rounds off the list, as speculation builds around Ajax manager Ten Hag
Ten Hag, 52, is keen to bring in his own backroom staff, with his Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag set to follow him to the North West if he takes the role.
United sources said that a number of candidates are being interviewed from a list that also includes Pochettino, Julen Lopetegui and Luis Enrique.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is no longer considered a viable option, however.
The club hope to make a decision over their permanent manager before the end of next month and have the new coach in place soon after the end of the season.
