Erik Ten Hag is the favourite to become Manchester United’s next permanent manager after the club compiled ‘dossiers’ on the main candidates for the role.
Ten Hag has been among the frontrunners to be named as the Red Devils’ next manager, as the Premier League side look to finalise an appointment ahead of next season.
The Dutchman has won admirers for his work at Ajax, in which he has guided the side to two Eredivisie titles and the Champions League semi-finals during his time in Amsterdam.
Ten Hag’s attractive football, faith in young talent, and experience working under a structured hierarchy have earned him admirers at Old Trafford and the Sun are reporting that the 52-year-old is now the favourite for the role after ‘exhaustive background checks’ on each of the club’s targets.
The Red Devils are also believed to be impressed with how Ten Hag rebuilt his Ajax side, having lost several key players – including Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong – following the club’s run to the Champions League’s last four in 2018/19.
Mauricio Pochettino had also been a favourite, though Ten Hag is understood to have moved past the Argentine and United are hopeful of making an announcement before the end of the season.
Thomas Tuchel had emerged as a possible target following the uncertainty at Chelsea, but the Red Devils were fearful that a potential takeover of the west Londoners would make a swift appointment challenging.
Ten Hag is viewed as a long-term appointment and is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League after five seasons with Ajax.
