Erik ten Hag declined to answer questions about Manchester United ahead of Ajax's KNVB Cup final, despite the expectation that the English club are days away from confirming him as their next permanent manager.
United continue to be led by interim manager Ralf Rangnick. who himself would not be drawn on his successor ahead of the Red Devils' league meeting with Norwich City. Ten Hag has an agreement in principle to take over at Old Trafford, but no announcement is expected until after his current club take on PSV Eindhoven in Sunday's final.
Ajax have taken steps to ban the English media from their manager's press conferences as an appointment draws closer. That hasn't stopped questions about United arising, though, as Ten Hag found out as he spoke to media before the cup final.
Mike Verweij, a journalist with Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, moved to congratulate Ten Hag on his impending move before asking why the 52-year-old has been quiet in the matter. The manager's response wasn't a debunking, but rather an attempt to change the focus.
“Because I serve Ajax," Ten Hag said. "We need to win the 2 remaining trophies.”
While the cup final is the main priority, Ajax also have work to do to wrap up the Eredivisie title. With five games of the season remaining, they sit just four points ahead of PSV.
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While Rangnick was quizzed about Ten Hag before the game, he also chose to focus on his more immediate task at hand. "I don't know if it's a done deal and my reply is the same - my focus is on the game against Norwich and to prepare the team on a higher level for the game," the German told the media.
"It doesn't make sense [to talk about ten Hag]," he added. We all know he's a good manager, done a good job at Ajax and former clubs, but it doesn't make sense if I tell you what I think of another coach."
United are due to host Norwich on Saturday afternoon, having needed a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo to beat the Canaries at Carrow Road back in December. By the time they kick off, Rangnick's side could find themselves nine points outside the top four, with Tottenham Hotspur facing Brighton & Hove Albion in the lunchtime kick-off.
Ten Hag's Ajax are looking to win their domestic cup for a record 21st time, having triumphed in the 2020-21 edition. Vitesse were their opponents in the most recent final, with Brazil international David Neres coming off the bench to score a last-gasp winner for the Amsterdam side.
