Bayern Munich reportedly make contact with the camp of Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag, who wants to see out his contract with the Red Devils.
The entourage of Erik ten Hag have reportedly been contacted by one of Europe’s leading clubs amid the Dutchman’s uncertain future with Manchester United.
The former Ajax boss only has one year left on his contract with the Red Devils, but there are suggestions that he could depart without seeing out the final 12 months of his deal.
Ten Hag’s debut campaign was a successful one, leading Man United to EFL Cup stardom and a third-placed Premier League finish, thus sealing their return to the promised land of Champions League football.
However, the Red Devils’ run in Europe’s premier tournament came to an end in the group stage, while they have also under-performed in the Premier League and cannot qualify for the revamped 2024-25 Champions League.
With four games left to go, the best that the seventh-placed Red Devils can hope for is a spot in the Europa League, which they will also achieve if they overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup final later this month.
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Bayern Munich ‘touch base with Ten Hag entourage’
Man United’s struggles domestically and continentally have naturally led to speculation that he could be given the axe under the new regime led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who purchased 27.7% of the club in December.
The INEOS chief is yet to give Ten Hag any sort of public backing, and the Dutchman would supposedly be prepared to resign from his position if he did not receive any assurances from Ratcliffe’s team.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich – whose current boss Thomas Tuchel will depart at the end of the season – have touched base with the representatives of Ten Hag to gauge his interest in moving to Germany.
Plettenberg adds that Ten Hag himself has not been directly contacted by Bayern as he focuses on the end of the season with Man United, and he still intends to at least see out his contract at the Theatre of Dreams.
However, the 54-year-old would supposedly be interested in taking the Bayern job if his Man United position becomes untenable, although two other unnamed teams have also put Ten Hag on their managerial shortlists.
Tuchel, Ten Hag to move in opposite directions?
🚨🆕 News Ten Hag: After the rejection of Rangnick he’s back on the list of FC Bayern!
➡️ There were talks between Bayern and Ten Hag’s management in the last weeks. No direct talks with Ten Hag yet.
His future at ManUtd is still uncertain. He would like to fulfill his… pic.twitter.com/p0cL5A7kmP
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 5, 2024
Bayern’s renewed interest in Ten Hag comes after the German giants failed in their bid to lure one ex-Man United boss to Bavaria, being rejected by now-Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick.
The FC Hollywood board were apparently left stunned by Rangnick’s unforeseen snub and are now considering alternative options to replace Tuchel, who is not expected to pull a Xavi and reverse his decision to leave in the same manner as the Barcelona boss.
The former Chelsea head coach is coincidentally thought to be one of Ratcliffe’s top candidates to take over from Ten Hag if the latter does end up seeking pastures new, and he is said to have opened the door to joining the Red Devils this summer.
England manager Gareth Southgate and the unattached Graham Potter are rumoured to be alternative candidates on Ratcliffe’s list, but a move for former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane may be too ambitious.
Ten Hag has won 65 of his 109 games in charge of Man United, whose push for Europa League football continues away to Crystal Palace on Monday night.