Manchester United risk losing assistant as Ajax begin manager hunt

Erik ten Hag could lose his assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag ahead of next season.

According to a report by Dutch magazine Voetbal International, Van der Gaag is ‘in the frame’ to become Ajax’s next manager.

The report suggests Ajax are ‘considering’ making a move for the United coach as they prepare to make a new managerial appointment before the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

It is believed that Liverpool assistant boss Pepijn Lijnders is also being considered for the job in Amsterdam. Other names being linked to the job include Frank de Boer, Joseph Oosting, Dick Shreuder and Albert Stuivenberg.

After Ten Hag won the Eredivisie title three times between 2018 and 2022, Ajax have dropped off and it’s going to take a lot of work to get them back to the top of the Dutch top-flight.

Ajax finished third last season and they are currently positioned fifth, with John van ‘t Schip as interim manager. His tenure will soon come to an end.

Van der Gaag came to United with Ten Hag from Ajax, so they enjoy working together, but it would be a huge statement to turn down an approach from a club like that to remain an assistant manager elsewhere.

Let us know if you think Van der Gaag will be part of United’s coaching staff next season.

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