How Erik ten Hag has emerged as Manchester United fans' choice to be next manager

Manchester United’s search for their next manager is well under way, and it’s understood that the club hopes to have settled on a name before the transfer window opens on July 1st.

One of the leading names on the United five-man shortlist is Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.

He was once considered a gamble due to his lack of senior experience in one of Europe’s big five leagues.

However the 52-year-old is slowly starting to win around a large portion of his doubters thanks to his stellar work in Amsterdam over a long period of time.

Across his four year stint with the Dutch giants, Ten Hag has delivered multiple leagues and domestic titles, while also mounting impressive runs into the latter stages of the Champions League.

These are standout achievements in isolation, yet it’s been his capacity to compete on all fronts while often being forced to rebuild his side — almost annually — following key player sales, which has impressed most.

Since 2017, the year Ten Hag joined Ajax, the club have generated more than £300million through players sales. Although this is great for revenue, it’s made the already tough task of keeping pace with Europe’s elite that bit harder for Ten Hag.

However, thanks in large part due to his standout coaching ability, the Dutchman has continually been able to improve and develop an often ever-changing Ajax side to keep them dominant domestically, while also punching way above their weight on the European scene.

In the Champions League this season, Ajax topped a tough group containing the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Sporting, impressively winning all six of their group stage matches.

And right now, according to FiveThirtyEight’s SPI rankings, Ajax are remarkably considered to be the fifth strongest