Manchester United managerial candidate Erik ten Hag has been taking English lessons in order to take over from Ralf Rangnick in the Old Trafford hotseat, according to reports.
United are not expected to offer interim boss Rangnick the job on a permanent basis regardless of how well he does between now and the end of the campaign, with the German coach having got the club back into top-four contention.
Ajax manager Ten Hag is one of the leading contenders to take over with Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino also at the top of United’s shortlist.
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But, Those two are not the only names in the frame to succeed Rangnick, though, with the likes of Brighton boss Graham Potter and even Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti linked with the club.
Ten Hag had the chance to manage in the Premier League last summer but rejected interest from Tottenham to remain at Ajax – but it is a different story this time around.
According to The Daily Mail, the Dutchman is desperate to land the Red devils job and has been taking English lessons as he gears up for discussions.
Although Ten Hag can speak English to a good level at present, he wants to be fluent by the summer window so he can convey his philosophy to the club’s board – and eventually the players.
When the 52-year-old held brief negotiations with Spurs last year, the language barrier was said to be an issue during discussions.
Ajax have been informed that Ten Hag intends to leave the club at the end of the season, and even if he is not picked by United he would be open to a move to another Premier League team.
But it is the Red devils he ‘has his heart set on’ and he even intends to bring Ajax assistant Mitchel van der Gaag with him to England.
United’s decision-makers are planning to interview a number of candidates once the season finishes and Ten Hag will need to make a huge impression in order to beat Pochettino, Ancelotti and others to the job.
