Bayern Munich are ramping up their pursuit of Erik ten Hag despite the Manchester United boss' turbulent season at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has faced a series of challenges, including injuries to key players, disciplinary issues with top stars and a significant behind-the-scenes shakeup following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's takeover. However, he remains a man in demand.
Last week, the Dutchman revealed that Harry Kane was United's primary target last summer. Now, with Bayern looking for a replacement for departing coach Thomas Tuchel, he could soon find himself working with the England star.
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AmazonThe German giants have been unsuccessful in securing deals for Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso, national manager Julien Nagelsmann and former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick. They've also resisted paying a £12million release clause to secure Roberto De Zerbi from Brighton.
Now, Ten Hag is high on their list of potential hires. Having managed the Bayern B team between 2013-15 during Pep Guardiola's tenure, he is seen as a serious candidate, reports the Mirror.
He speaks fluent German, understands the club's philosophy and is respected by influential director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, honorary president Uli Hoeness and incoming sporting director Max Eberl.
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The trio have been impressed by how Ten Hag has integrated young stars Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and striker Rasmus Hojlund into a United side that's been largely in turmoil all season. However, the Dutchman and his advisors are still uncertain about his future at Old Trafford.
They're disappointed by the lack of public support from Ratcliffe, who hasn't done anything to quell the constant speculation that he'll sack Ten Hag after the FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month. If United plan to let him go, a move to Munich would be an ideal situation.
Before they faced Bayern in the Champions League group stage earlier this season, Ten Hag said: "I really enjoyed it there and my time in Munich was enormously valuable. I think a few people in the Netherlands were shocked when I signed as a reserve team coach for Bayern.
"I left a decent job in the Eredivisie for a job in the regional liga in Germany. But I never regretted it. Working with great people there, including Pep Guardiola and Matthias Sammer was like winning the lottery.''
It would cost Ratcliffe a hefty £20million to pay off Ten Hag and his backroom staff if United want a new manager. That may be too expensive at a time when the club are cutting costs.
But if Ten Hag doesn't get the players he wants in the summer - after already missing out on Kane, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and defender Jurrien Timber who joined Arsenal - the Dutchman might even decide to leave his United job himself.
Ajax are reportedly eager to welcome him back following the dismissal of Maurice Steijn in October, and the subsequent appointment of interim coach John van't Schip.
Graham Potter, ex-Chelsea and Brighton manager, is also on Ajax's watchlist, with Feyenoord also showing interest as they prepare for Arne Slot's departure to Liverpool.
