Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is expected to be announced as the next manager of Manchester United... but there is a sticking point - his backroom staff.
It's believed the Dutchman won't accept the Old Trafford job until his assistants are identified. Ten Hag has already failed to land Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie, two former United strikers who've both moved into coaching since hanging up their boots.
Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for United between 2001 and 2006, helping Sir Alex Ferguson's team lift the Premier League title in 2002-03. Van Persie repeated the feat a decade later, scoring 26 league goals during the 2012-13 campaign.
Van Nistelrooy declined United's advances after being named as the next manager of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, taking over the role from current boss Roger Schmidt this summer. The 45-year-old won two Eredivisie titles at PSV between 1998 and 2001.
"I have been working towards this moment for years," said Van Nistelrooy. "I am proud and convinced that I am ready to take a leading role at my club. Several things came together in the last month. Talks with the entire management and the board have strengthened my view on the unity and ambition to achieve something special with PSV in the long term."
Van Persie, meanwhile, doesn't want to leave his current position at Feyenoord. The 38-year-old is Arne Slot's assistant at the Dutch outfit, where he enjoyed significant success as a player - winning the UEFA Cup, Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup. His teenage son Shaqueel is also in the club's academy and progressing well.
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Who could Ten Hag bring in?
Former United defender Jaap Stam is in the frame to join Ten Hag at Old Trafford. The 49-year-old, who was part of the treble-winning squad in 1998-99, has plenty of coaching experience - managing Jong Ajax, Reading, PEC Zwolle, Feyenoord and FC Cincinnati.
Stam is currently unattached after leaving MLS side Cincinnati last year. The ex-defender recently urged United to build their team around Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes - dropping a huge hint on how United could line up under Ten Hag.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who will start a two-year consultancy role in the summer, recently claimed United will have a clear out of players this summer. Pogba is likely to be one of the first to go, seeing as his contract is up at the end of June.
"Well, the midfield of course, and the defence is very important," said Stam. "When you’re looking at the squad now, there are a few players I think you work around in building your team.
"That’s Cristiano if you want to keep him. I think Bruno as well, in the midfield. I would keep Pogba, also there is a big discussion, but I think you need to use him in a certain way because I like him as a player and what he can bring."
Another candidate for the assistant role is former Ajax boss Peter Bosz, who is currently in charge of Lyon. The 58-year-old's existing deal doesn't expire until June 2023, although Lyon could release him early considering their poor Ligue 1 position. They're currently ninth - eight points behind Rennes in third, the final Champions League spot.
It's believed Ten Hag is unlikely to bring any members of his backroom staff at Ajax with him - such as Michael Reiziger and Winston Bogarde - instead choosing to appoint someone familiar with the culture at Old Trafford to help with his transition.
