Done deal. Nearly.
After weeks of speculation, Erik ten Hag looks set to become the next Manchester United manager.
Several reports on Tuesday claim that United's hierarchy have now decided Ten Hag is the man to lead them forward. After holding discussions with several candidates over the course of the past few weeks.
Though the Dutchman is widely expected to take the position after he finishes the season with Ajax. The word from his homeland suggests that, although close, Ten Hag will only take the deal once he has been given assurances over two key issues.
Ten Hag wants assurances before signing the deal.
Speaking to
Sky Sports on Thursday, Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan acknowledged that there is an acceptance in the Netherlands that Ten Hag will make the move to Old Trafford in the summer if United allow him to select his own background staff and the freedom of player management.
"It's not a done thing yet," Van der Kraan said. "Erik ten Hag wants two major guarantees. One of them is a backroom staff which will fit him, which will fit United and which is good in a total setup of changing the club's philosophy and changing the club's identity.
"The other one is guarantees on his freedom of management of players. There are players who are older, who have massive experience like Cristiano Ronaldo, but what happens if he wants to change to a playing style which suits young players far more, which he has done at Ajax?"
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United intensified their pursuit of a new permanent boss last month, with the Ajax boss seen as one of the frontrunners along with Paris Saint-Germain's Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite Ten Hag wanting assurances, it is not thought this will be a problem. The Dutchman is expected to be in the home dugout at Old Trafford from the start of next season.
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