RB Leipzig are trying to hijack Manchester United’s bid to make Erik ten Hag their manager.
The Bundesliga club opened talks with the Ajax coach weeks ago and have now offered a bank-busting contract. Leipzig believe he can transform the club into contenders both at home and abroad. Sources in Holland say Ten Hag is taking their offer seriously. The 52-year-old wants to come to Manchester, but he is frustrated by United’s failure to offer him terms.
Missing out on Ten Hag would represent a major setback in United's search for their next permanent manager, with Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino also seen as a serious contender. Ralf Rangnick has been in charge as interim manager since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked last November. United passed up on the chance to hire Antonio Conte, with the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach accepting Tottenham's offer - and Conte threatens to make that decision look foolish as Spurs sit fourth - six points ahead of United - in the race for Champions League qualification.
Conte was seen as a short-term option at best among the Old Trafford hierarchy given his frequent public outbursts at previous clubs, with the Red Devils keen on getting their next hire right after years of missteps following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. Since Ferguson's exit, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer have all struggled in the permanent role, with Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick also used as caretaker along with Rangnick in an interim role.
Ten Hag is viewed as a long-term option to shape United after impressing the club's hierarchy in an interview in March, though Mirror Football reported that United feared appointing the 52-year-old might result in a backlash from supporters craving a big name to compete with the likes of Premier League rivals Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and now Conte.
The Dutchman has led Ajax to two Eredivisie titles - in 2019 and 2021 - and is on course for another League triumph this season. Ten Hag recently received a glowing review from Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who claimed he would phone United to recommend him in City's rivals decide to make him an offer.
Should United miss out on Ten Hag, they face the prospect of sounding out other potential hires with time running out to get a new manager in before the summer transfer window, with big changes expected. Mirror Football understands that six players - Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata, Tahith Chong and Lee Grant - have been told they can leave when their contracts expire. Another six - including Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek, Dean Henderson, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly - are understood to want to leave, with their futures uncertain.
Pochettino would be seen as the next likeliest candidate for the United job if Leipzig land Ten Hag given he has also interviewed for the role, though his role at PSG remains unclear despite more Champions League disappointment this season after their collapse to Real Madrid.
