Manchester United have agreed a £2.5million compensation package with Ajax for Eric ten Hag and his assistant Mitchell van der Gaag.
United had already sealed a three-year-deal with the two Dutchmen, with the option of a 12-month extension. But while they have been able to trigger a clause in Ten Hag’s contract worth £1.6million, the Amsterdam club were unwilling to allow Van der Gaag to join him at Old Trafford without more money being paid.
It is understood that United have got their duo by offering a package worth £2.5million. It is unlikely that the pair will be joined by former England boss Steve McClaren.
Ten Hag was McClaren’s No 2 at FC Twente - and there were suggestions the Dutchman could turn to him to add experience of United to his backroom staff. McClaren worked under Sir Alex Ferguson when United win the Treble in 1999.
It appears, however, that McClaren is not part of the plan to resurrect the club after another miserable season.
There are likely to be more additions to Ten Hag’s staff. Robin van Persie has been sounded out about a return to the club he helped win the Premier League in 2013.
But the former Holland striker is working in Feyenoord’s academy whilst studying his coaching badges and his son Shaqueel is coming through the ranks at the Rotterdam club.
United's players have already been informed of Ten Hag's impending arrival with an official announcement expected to be made after Saturday's clash with Arsenal.
The rebuilding process has already got underway ahead of Ten Hag's appointment, after two United scouts departed the club in the wake of the 4-0 humiliation at rivals Liverpool.
Chief scout Jim Lawlor leaves after 16 years' service to United, while head of global scouting Marcel Bout has been with the club for eight years. That looks to be merely the tip of the iceberg ahead of what looks certain to be a busy summer at United, with 12 players nearing the exit door.
Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Lee Grant are all set to move on when their contracts expire at the end of June, but six others: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Alex Telles, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, are also up for sale.
With so many names heading out, United's owners are prepared to bankroll a summer spending spree to the tune of £200m. Ten Hag is keen to bolster his squad with several additions including a new striker and a central midfielder, which are among the priorities.
