Erik ten Hag could quit Man Utd as Sir Jim Ratcliffe dealt 'three bits of bad news'

Erik ten Hag reportedly features among the three managers Ajax are targeting for the club's vacant managerial position this summer. The other two names spell bad news for Sir Jim Ratcliffe amid suggestions that Ten Hag could be prepared to quit Manchester United before he is sacked.

Ajax are one of the European heavyweights in the market for a new manager in the coming months following a turbulent campaign.

Maurice Steijn lasted less than four months after signing a three-year contract in July 2023. Hedwiges Maduro and John van 't Schip have taken interim charge since.

The Amsterdam giants are now searching for the right manager to guide them out of their rut since Ten Hag left for United in the summer of 2022.

According to Telegraaf, the Dutchman is one of three final candidates that Ajax are considering to take charge this summer.

It's claimed that Graham Potter and OGC Nice boss Francesco Farioli join Ten Hag in the frame, and all three have ties to Ratcliffe and INEOS.

ESPN report that INEOS are planning for next season with Ten Hag due to their reluctance to add finding a new manager to their sizeable in-tray after taking control of United's football operations.

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However, alternative options are said to have been assessed, and Potter has prominently featured among the managers linked with replacing Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Farioli is currently in charge of Nice, INEOS' other club, and has the Ligue 1 outfit battling for European qualification.

Ajax are set to either add to Ratcliffe's to-do list in his first summer as United co-owner, take a leading managerial candidate off the market or force an unwanted search for a replacement at Nice.

Ten Hag could make United's decision for them at the end of the season, though, according to reports that have added to the uncertainty around his future.

The Mirror claim that the 54-year-old is prepared to walk out of Old Trafford this summer if he doesn't receive assurances that Ratcliffe and his confidants are committed to his project.

Ratcliffe hasn't yet offered Ten Hag a public vote of confidence, fuelling speculation that there could be a change in the United dugout.

However, Ten Hag currently looks set to be handed the chance to oversee improvements in his third season in M16, where he will be expected to produce results similar to those of his maiden campaign.

And even if Ajax come calling, he would surely consider a surprise return a step back in his career and wait for a fresh opportunity to arise.