Borussia Dortmund chief gives Erik ten Hag future hint amid Man United interest

Manchester United will be encouraged to learn that Borussia Dortmund have slammed the door shut on a possible Erik ten Hag appointment after their CEO stated the current boss will stay on.

There had been rumours that Marco Rose might have been ousted as head coach amid the news of Ten Hag’s possible availability. But Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke has rubbished any such talk and has confirmed Rose will be going nowhere.

Speaking to Sky Germany, he said: "Marco Rose will stay because he does a good job, we want to have continuity in that position and we are happy with him. That's very simple."

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Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich with seven games to go. But their performances in Europe have raised questions over Rose’s status with a group stage exit from the Champions League followed by a shock loss to Rangers in the last 16 of the Europa League. Ten Hag had been linked with the job.

However, Watzke’s comments will come as a relief to United, who have already held talks with Ajax boss ten Hag. United have scheduled further discussions regarding their next permanent boss, with Mauricio Pochettino another candidate.

While the club have been keen to stress that any talks do not necessarily indicate their intentions, it’s understood the Dutchman is the frontrunner for the full-time role. However, fellow countryman and former United boss Louis Van Gaal recently discouraged ten Hag from making an Old Trafford switch.

“Erik ten Hag is a great coach, and that is always good for Manchester United,” he said. “But Manchester United are a commercial club, so it’s a difficult choice for a coach.

"He’d better go to a