Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand gives backing to Erik ten Hag to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Rio Ferdinand claims Erik ten Hag would be a good fit to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man United after succeeding at ‘massive’ Ajax… as he insists his old side need someone who can ‘command a whole dressing room full of egos’

  • Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under immense pressure
  • Erik ten Hag has been listed as one of the potential candidates to replace him 
  • Rio Ferdinand believes he could be a good fit for United after his success at Ajax 


Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Erik ten Hag would be a good fit at the club following his success at Ajax.

Current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under immense pressure following their recent poor run of form – including humiliating defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Ajax boss has been brought up as a potential replacement for Solskjaer, though he hasn’t been as heavily touted as Zinedine Zidane or Brendan Rodgers.

Erik ten Hag is one of the rumoured names to potentially replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Rio Ferdinand has praised the Ajax manager after he previously said Solskjaer (right) should 'hand over the baton'

Rio Ferdinand has praised the Ajax manager after he previously said Solskjaer (right) should ‘hand over the baton’

Ferdinand though believes the Dutchman’s success at Ajax indicates he could fit in well at Old Trafford.

The former England defender told his FIVE Youtube channel: ‘For any manager coming in to a new club, it’s almost like you’ve got to show people why you’re there immediately. 

‘I use Antonio Conte as a good reference point for that. Whenever he joins a new club, there is no negotiables and he tells them, ‘this is what’s happening, this is what I am – if you’re not with me you can go.’

‘I think that’s the type of attitude and the type of mentality that separates the good managers from the top managers.

Ten Hag has won two Dutch titles and guided them to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019

Ten Hag has won two Dutch titles and guided them to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019

‘You’ve got to be able to go in there and command a whole dressing room full of egos, big personalities, big characters. That’s the job of anyone coming in.

‘Now I don’t know Ten Hag personally but he’s doing a fantastic job at Ajax.

‘Let’s remember that Ajax isn’t a small club. They’re a massive club – the biggest club in Holland.

‘Yes, it’s different and the landscape is different but it’s still a huge club that he’s got to work with and the expectation levels there every day are to win.

‘That’s something that will be there every day and would be there if he was to come to Manchester United.

Solskjaer is under immense pressure following United's recent poor run of form

Solskjaer is under immense pressure following United’s recent poor run of form

Ferdinand believes United need a manager who can deal with big egos and personalities

Ferdinand believes United need a manager who can deal with big egos and personalities

‘Anyone who comes in, they’ve got to be able to deal with people. That’s the art of a fantastic manager.’

Ferdinand’s comments come after he previously said on his YouTube channel that his former team-mate should ‘hand over the baton’ at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has been manager at Ajax since December 2017 and has guided them to two Eredivisie championships.

He also led Ajax to the semi-finals of the Champions League during the 2018-19 season where they were beaten by eventual runners-up Tottenham.  

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