Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made the surprising decision to reject an emotional return to Ajax, turning down the chance to rescue his old club from their current crisis.
Ajax in Crisis
The Dutch giants find themselves in desperate trouble, having sacked Johnny Heitinga last week after a disastrous run of just two wins in eleven games. Ajax currently sit fourth in the Eredivisie, already 11 points behind bitter rivals PSV Eindhoven. Their European campaign has been even more humiliating, as they prop up the 36-team Champions League table after losing their opening four matches and scoring just one goal.
Why Ten Hag Said No
Ten Hag, who is currently out of work after his brutal dismissal from Bayer Leverkusen in September, quickly emerged as the favourite for the vacancy. The 55-year-old was even spotted meeting with his agent and Ajax's technical director, fuelling speculation about a dramatic comeback.
During his previous four-and-a-half year tenure in Amsterdam, Ten Hag delivered remarkable success, winning the Eredivisie title in each of his three full seasons and masterminding famous Champions League victories over Real Madrid and Juventus.
However, according to Dutch outlet NOS, Ten Hag has decided against the reunion. It's reported the coach believed 'the conditions were not right for a successful partnership'. This decision comes despite him also being linked with the vacant managerial position at Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Leverkusen Legacy and Looking Ahead
Ten Hag's last managerial role ended in humiliation. He replaced the highly successful Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen at the start of this season but was sacked after just three games in charge, failing to win any of them.
At the time, he criticised the club's impatience, stating the decision came as a 'complete surprise' and that building a new team after the departure of key players was a process that required both time and trust.
Adding to Ajax's woes, former technical director Marc Overmars, who worked alongside Ten Hag during their most successful period, has also ruled out a return to the club, telling De Telegraaf, 'For me, it's over.'
This leaves Ajax searching for a new leader to steer them out of one of the most challenging periods in their recent history, while Erik ten Hag continues to wait for the right opportunity to resurrect his own managerial career.
