Erik ten Hag is set to lead a major rebuild at Manchester United in what is a much-needed fresh start for the club.
The Ajax boss is the leading contender for the job after the Red Devils tabled him an offer following a successful interview. Mirror Football revealed that RB Leipzig are looking to hijack United's move, however, and have tabled him a proposal of their own.
Ten Hag wants to finalise a move to Old Trafford but wants assurances he will have a say on the club's recruitment this summer with wholesale changes expected.
Ten Hag has a good track record in the transfer market and has made a habit of unlocking the potential of players. He is renowned for his work with youngsters and there have been several who have eventually made big-money moves away from Ajax. Here are some success stories of players he has worked under.
Hakim Ziyech
Hakim Ziyech is one of the most successful players Ten Hag has worked with. The winger was instrumental in Ajax's memorable run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019 before Tottenham knocked them out.
The forward eventually secured a move to Chelsea and, although he hasn't hit the heights he did in the Netherlands, he has shown flashes of his talent in Thomas Tuchel's side.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Ten Hag worked with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as Bayern Munich U19s coach before he entered management. It remains to be seen how much he influenced the Dane given their brief spell together in Germany, but both of their careers have worked out pretty well since.
Hojbjerg has emerged as one of Spurs' best players since joining from Southampton and he almost reunited with Ten Hag instead of going to north London. The Ajax boss admitted the Dutch side were close to securing his services.
Ten Hag said: "I really wanted him to be there. We were really close to that. We have spoken to him several times."
“That boy really could have made our team stronger. Financially we would have made it out, I think. He could also go to other clubs, but wanted to come to Ajax. But then Tottenham came before him and we still got the short straw."
Sebastian Haller
Ten Hag will take the plaudits for reviving Sebastian Haller's career who is a man reborn for Ajax this season. The striker made his name in Holland with Utrecht working alongside Ten Hag, but flopped at West Ham United following his switch from Eintracht Frankfurt.
But Ten Hag has managed to get a tune out of the talisman once again after the Dutch giants signed him last summer. He looks a completely different player compared to his time in the Premier League and it's clear to see that Ten has a positive influence on the striker given they've now struck up a successful partnership on two separate occasions.
Haller has 46 goals in 60 appearances.
Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt was another standout player from that Ajax side that took Europe by storm under Ten Hag. The defender was arguably one of the best centre-backs in the world at the age of 18 before sealing a sensational move to Juventus.
Ten Hag brought out the best in De Ligt and their successful partnership has been vindicated with how he's fared in Turin since. De Ligt has struggled to replicate the form he showed at Ajax and in hindsight, it's remarkable how Ten Hag got him to operate at such a high level at that age.
Dusan Tadic
Dusan Tadic is another player who didn't cut it in the Premier League, but his career has been revived under Ten Hag. The attacking midfielder's experience has been a calming presence in what is a youthful Ajax side and he seems to be getting better with age.
Ten Hag is known for bringing the best out of young players like De Light but Tadic shows he's not just a one-trick pony. He can work alongside players with all levels of experience which could be beneficial to United with plenty of players misfiring at the moment.
Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong is arguably the best player Ten Hag has worked with as his rapid rise at Barcelona continues. The midfielder has gone from strength to strength since leaving Ajax and has been able to handle the jump from the Amsterdam Arena to the Camp Nou.
But there is no doubt he wouldn't be the player he is if it wasn't for Ten Hag. The Ajax boss's philosophy complemented De Jong perfectly as he gave him the license to take charge of that midfield. This meant he was able to showcase his talents which eventually attracted Barca's attention.
