Politics
Erik ten Hag backed for Man Utd job by Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt with Ajax boss ‘deserving opportunity at a top side’
ERIK TEN HAG has the tools to succeed as Manchester United manager, according to former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt.
Ajax boss Ten Hag has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to become the Red Devils’ boss after it was revealed earlier this month that he has interviewed for the position.
GettyTen Hag has been heavily linked with taking over at Man Utd[/caption]
GettyKuyt has backed Ten Hag to succeed at Old Trafford[/caption]
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino is also being discussed as a potential option.
But Kuyt, a fellow countryman of Ten Hag, believes the Dutchman has the characteristics to thrive in the role.
Speaking to Goal, he said: “Ten Hag is a great, experienced coach. He’s done his apprenticeship, if you like, with Bayern Munich’s second team, then Utrecht and now at Ajax.
“He is a great manager who has improved himself so much, on and off the pitch.
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‘I know some people were doubting his level of speaking English, his performance in front of the camera.
“But you see him growing every week as a manager, and I think he can do a great job at any top side in Europe.
“His tactics, his way of thinking about football, is very interesting, and it would be great if he was to get an opportunity at a top side.”
Ten Hag and Pochettino are the leading candidates to take over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
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But Holland boss Louis van Gaal, who was in charged of Man Utd between 2014 and 2016, does not believe Ten Hag should take the job.
He said: “I think Ten Hag is great coach. A great coach is good for Man Utd. But they are a commercial club.
“Those are difficult choices for a coach. He should choose a football club, not a commercial club.”
There are two more names who have been linked with assuming the role in the summer.
They are Spain head coach Luis Enrique and Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui.
Man Utd currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, four points off a Champions League place with just nine games remaining.
