Jaap Stam sends warning to Manchester United over appointing Erik ten Hag as manager

Erik ten Hag is a leading candidate to be the next Manchester United manager, but former Red Devil Jaap Stam has warned that a move to Old Trafford would be an enormous step up for the Dutchman.

Ten Hag has enjoyed a successful time at Ajax, winning the Eredivisie twice and turning them into a competitive force in the Champions League again.

He also impressed with spells at Go Ahead Eagles and FC Utrecht, while picked up invaluable experience at Bayern Munich II while Pep Guardiola was in charge of the first team.

However, Manchester United is another challenge entirely and, while Stam rates the 52-year-old, he has warned the Red Devils that they must consider Ten Hag’s lack of experience at a huge club in a top quality league.

‘Ten Hag is doing very well at Ajax; he makes the team a difficult opponent for everyone in Europe and Holland,’ Stam told Sky Sports Italy, via Tuttomercatoweb.

‘He is very good at showing the players what to do and also at improving individual players. At Ajax, he obviously has the finances to grow the team with young players.

‘For him, Man United would be another thing compared to what he is experiencing in Holland. He has to take this step forward in his career.’

Stam does feel that there needs to be a significant change at Old Trafford, praising the work that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did as manager, to an extent, but feeling that Ralf Rangnick is finding it difficult to get his ideas across.

‘Solskjaer has done a good job to bring the club back to the top five but lacks the extra quality to get back to winning ways. Rangnick came in, and some players struggled to adapt,’ continued Stam.

‘Ronaldo didn’t play in the derby, then scored three goals against Tottenham. It’s always difficult to