Erik ten Hag has finally been announced as Manchester United’s incoming manager, with the Ajax boss moving to Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Ten Hag has signed a three-year deal with the Red Devils until 2025, with the option of an extra year at the club.
The 52-year-old will become United’s fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
‘It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,’ Ten Hag said following the announcement.
‘I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.
‘It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.’
Manchester United ‘deeply impressed’ by Erik ten Hag
John Murtough, United’s football director, said: ‘During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.
‘In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that.
‘We wish Erik the best of luck as he focuses on achieving a successful end to the season at Ajax and look forward to welcoming him to Manchester United this summer.’
The Dutchman’s appointment ends a drawn out process for United who have been looking for a permanent hiring since the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.
Ralf Rangnick has been interim manager since November but the German has been unable to galvanise the squad.
The Red Devils will end the season trophyless and hopes of finishing inside the top four appear remote. United are sixth in the Premier League with five games remaining this season, three points behind Tottenham, who occupy the fourth Champions League spot.
Ten Hag at Ajax
Ajax are top of the Dutch Eredivisie, four points clear of PSV Eindhoven, with five matches left, although they lost to their rivals in the Dutch Cup final on Sunday.
Ten Hag, who took over as Ajax head coach since December 2017, led them to the league and cup double in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
They reached the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League and were within a minute of making the final, only to be denied by a remarkable Tottenham comeback.
