Erik ten Hag leads race to become next Manchester United manager

The race is on to appoint a new permanent Manchester United manager to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick – and Ajax coach Erik ten Hag is currently in the box seat.

Here The National runs the rule over the leading candidates to take the helm at Old Trafford next season.

Ten Hag, 52, has already been interviewed by Old Trafford bosses, who now plan further talks with the Dutchman.

He began his coaching career in Holland with Go Ahead Eagles, then took charge of Bayern Munich II in Germany before moving back to the Netherlands as sporting director and head coach of FC Utrecht.

He took over as head coach at Ajax in December 2017 and led them to their first Eredivisie title for five years in 2019. They also won the league in 2021 and currently sit two points clear of rivals PSV in the league.

Perhaps Ten Hag's most eye-catching achievement was in 2019 when he took Ajax to their first Champions League semi-final since 1997. On the way they beat holders Real Madrid 4-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu in the last-16.

Manchester United have been impressed by the way Ten Hag has assembled two successful teams in spite of having to sell young stars such as Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.

Although Ajax were knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica in the last-16 this season, Ten Hag's style of play and ability to get the best out of young players is seen as a good fit for the long-term rejuvenation of United.

United are long-time admirers of the 50-year-old Argentinian. He started his management career at Espanyol before switching to the Premier League with Southampton in 2013.

He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 and the high point of his spell at the London club was taking them to their first Champions League final in