Erik ten Hag appointed Manchester United boss on three-year deal

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ajax boss Erik ten Hag on a three-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.

The Dutchman beat the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique to the job at Old Trafford, after impressing the club’s board during the interview process in March.

Ten Hag, 52, has guided Ajax to two Eredivisie titles since taking charge in Amsterdam in 2018 and they’re on course to win a third this term.

His biggest achievement to date is guiding Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, where they beat Juventus and Real Madrid before a gut-wrenching defeat to Tottenham in the second-leg of the semi-finals.

Ten Hag says it’s a ‘great honour’ to be named United’s new manager.

‘It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,’ said Ten Hag. ‘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.

<p lang=«en» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«en»>Coming soon.#MUFC || #WelcomeErik pic.twitter.com/GevKKGiNqi

Pochettino had been the favourite to take charge at Old Trafford following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure in November but a disappointing second season with Paris Saint-Germain saw the Argentine lose favour with United’s board.

But United’s Football Director John Murtough says Ten Hag fits the profile of manager that the club were searching for.

‘During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be