‘There is a lot to take care of… and I have the energy for it!’: Erik Ten Hag turns his attention to Man United after managing his final game as Ajax boss away at Vitesse – as he hints he won’t take a holiday to begin work straight away at Old Trafford
- Erik ten Hag managed his last game as Ajax boss against Vitesse on Sunday
- Ajax secured a 2-2 draw after having already won the Eredivisie earlier this week
- But the manager revealed he will not be joining in the team’s title celebrations
- Ten Hag will instead turn his focus to his new project at Manchester United
New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag turned his attention to Old Trafford after taking charge of his final game with Ajax.
The Dutch side clinched a 2-2 draw in their final game of the season against Vitesse on Sunday after sealing the Eredivisie title earlier this week.
But the boss revealed he will not be joining in with the team’s celebrations as he insisted he will be working ‘intensively’ on his new project at Old Trafford.
New Man United boss Erik ten Hag will turn his attention to Old Trafford after last Ajax match
The 52-year-old managed his last game at Ajax in their 2-2 draw with Vitesse on Sunday
Ten Hag takes over on a three-year contract in the summer from current interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who has overseen the first-team since November.
The 52-year-old has been tasked with turning United’s fortunes around after a disappointing season that has left them outside the top four.
Ten Hag admitted he faces an uphill battle at his new club but insisted he has the energy to tackle the task.
Ten Hag takes over on a three-year contract in the summer from interim boss Ralf Rangnick
‘It’s time to turn the switch now,’ he said following Ajax’s draw. ‘It’s something that is needed because there is a lot to take care off and I have the energy for it.
‘Tomorrow there will be a party with the (Ajax) staff, but I am not going to Curacao (a Dutch Caribbean island). I think that’s understandable. There is a lot of work to do there (United). That is the case with every club.
‘A number of things still need to be organised in the staff and also in the selection. We will be working intensively on this from tomorrow.’
Ten Hag has been tasked with turning United’s fortunes around after a disappointing season
Ten Hag called a vital planning meeting in Amsterdam on Thursday as his Old Trafford reign gets underway.
Sportsmail understands that Steve McClaren was summoned to Holland as part of the talks – a major indication that the former England boss is closing in on a return to United under Ten Hag.
Ten Hag led a strategy meeting – that included his long term assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and a member of staff from United’s recruitment team – understood to be football director John Murtough.
Steve McClaren, who is set to become his assistant boss, was also summoned to a meeting
Earlier this week it was reported that Ten Hag is keen to watch United’s final match of the season – against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park – from the stands as he starts to plan ahead for next season.
However, The Athletic’s report details that it has not yet been decided whether the Dutchman will attend the game next Sunday.
United did not play this weekend and currently are sixth in the table, two points ahead of West Ham who snatched a point against leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
