In a major blow to the Amsterdam giants, the former manager cites internal turmoil as the reason for his rejection, marking the second high-profile snub this week.
Erik ten Hag will not be making a dramatic return to Ajax, dashing the hopes of fans and club officials who saw him as the ideal candidate to lead the team’s revival. According to reports from Dutch media, the former Manchester United manager has decided against a reunion, leaving the storied club to continue its fraught search for a new leader.
The 55-year-old Dutchman, who led Ajax to legendary domestic and European successes before his move to England, was the top contender to take the helm after the dismissal of John Heitinga. Talks progressed to the point where Ten Hag met with Ajax’s departing technical director, Alex Kroes, fueling speculation that a deal was imminent.
However, those discussions ultimately led Ten Hag to a firm conclusion. It is reported that the manager perceives an “insufficient basis for a successful collaboration,” pointing to the widespread instability within the club’s hierarchy. Ajax is currently grappling with a leadership vacuum, needing to fill not only the head coach and technical director roles but also several key positions on its Supervisory Board.
This rejection is the latest in a series of setbacks for the struggling Amsterdam club. Just this Monday, another potential homecoming fell through when Arsenal legend Marc Overmars declined an offer to return as technical director, opting to remain with Royal Antwerp. Overmars expressed sadness at Ajax’s current state but tellingly referred to the club as a “bygone thing” for him.
For Ten Hag, the decision closes a door on a sentimental return, allowing him time to plot his next move after a challenging period at Manchester United. His name had also been linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but those talks failed to materialize into an offer.
With their dream candidate now out of the picture, Ajax must pivot quickly. Attention is now turning to other available managers, with Niko Kovač, recently sacked by Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, emerging as a new name in the frame for the Amsterdam giants.
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