Posted: 14:41, 28 March 2022 | Updated: 14:49, 28 March 2022
Louis van Gaal has warned Ajax manager Eric Ten Hague not to take over as the new manager of Manchester United, calling him the Red Devils “a commercial club”. Ten Haag has already been interviewed about his possible appointment as the long-term successor of Ole Gunnar Solskier and is one of the top candidates along with Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino. But Van Haal, who was United’s coach from 2014 to 2016, warned his Dutch compatriot not to take the job. Ajax coach Erik ten Hag is one of the top candidates to become Man United manager However, the coach of the Netherlands, Louis van Gaal, warned his compatriot not to take the job Van Gaal says United are “a commercial club” and that Ten Haag should become “a football team” “I think Ten Haag is a great coach,” said Van Haal. “A great coach is good for Manchester United. “But, it is a trade association. They are difficult choices for a coach. “He should choose a football club, not a commercial club.” Van Gaal won the FA Cup in his two years as United manager, but was sacked shortly before United moved to bring in Jose Mourinho. The now-Dutch coach worked alongside Ed Woodward as a managing director at United, who was often thought to be focusing on increasing off-field revenue but could not succeed. Richard Arnold took over from Ed Woodward in the day-to-day running of the club on February 1 and will oversee United’s appointment as new long-time manager at Old Trafford. Van Gaal has criticized Woodward in the past. Speaking to the BBC after his sacking by United, he said: “I can imagine Woodward choosing Mourinho. He is a top coach. He has won many titles. More than me. “What I do not like is that Woodward communicates with my successor, knowing in his mind that he will replace me and keeps his mouth shut for six months. Every Friday I had to go to press conferences and be asked what I thought about the rumors. What does this do to the coach’s power? Van Gaal has spoken in the past about his unhappiness with former United vice-president Ed Woodward. Mauricio Pochettino is also vying for United’s position with Ten Hag “Winning the FA Cup when, for six months, the media has a noose around my neck is my greatest achievement. “I spoke with Woodward the next day of the match. His argument was that I would only be there for another year and Mourinho would be there for three, four or five. “I think he hired a private plane to take me back to Portugal, but his arguments were not good enough.” Now as coach of the Netherlands, Van Gaal is preparing his team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. On Tuesday night they meet Germany in a friendly. United, meanwhile, are sixth in the Premier League, four points behind Arsenal, who are fourth and finalists in the Champions League qualifiers. The Gunners have a game in front of United, whose quest for the top four continues at the weekend, when they host Leicester at Old Trafford.
