Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has rejected the opportunity to return to Ajax for a second spell as head coach. The Dutch club have been in crisis after sacking Johnny Heitinga, with just two wins in 11 games leaving them fourth in the Eredivisie and 11 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven. They are also bottom of the Champions League group phase after four straight defeats.
Ten Hag, 55, had been the favourite to take over after being seen with his agent and Ajax's technical director. He spent four-and-a-half successful years in Amsterdam, winning the Eredivisie title in each of his three full seasons. However, according to Dutch outlet NOS, Ten Hag decided the conditions were not right for a successful partnership.
The former Ajax boss has been out of work since September, when Bayer Leverkusen sacked him after just three matches. Ten Hag had replaced Xabi Alonso in the summer, but after failing to win any of his first three games and losing key players, the club parted ways with him. Ten Hag criticised the decision, saying it came as a complete surprise and that a new coach deserves time and trust to implement his vision.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal forward Marc Overmars has ruled out returning to Ajax as technical director. Overmars, who worked with Ten Hag during their Champions League successes against Real Madrid and Juventus, told De Telegraaf: 'For me, it's over.'
Ten Hag had also been linked with the vacant manager's position at Wolverhampton Wanderers but appears to be waiting for the right opportunity. He previously won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his tenure at Manchester United before being dismissed last October.
