GUUS HIDDINK urged Erik ten Hag to “just do it” on live TV with the Ajax manager strongly linked with the Manchester United job.
The in-demand boss, 52, is believed to have verbally signed a four-year deal to take over at Old Trafford in the summer.
Guus Hiddink told Erik ten Hag to ‘just do it’ – seemingly in a hint about him taking the Man Utd jobCredit: ESPN
Hiddink playfully whispered in Ten Hag’s ear ahead of Ajax’s KNVB Cup final loss to PSVCredit: ESPN
The Dutch giants recently revealed they tried everything they could to keep Ten Hag at the club, including offering him a new contract.
Ajax’s technical director Gerry Hamstra has since all-but confirmed the boss would be leaving.
However, with no official confirmation yet in place, Hiddink appears to have given Ten Hag a nudge towards accepting the soon-to-be-vacant role at United.
Ralf Rangnick took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on an interim basis in November, but will quit to take on a consultancy role in the summer.
The likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Zinedine Zidane and Brendan Rodgers have all been linked, but Ten Hag has long been the club’s No1 option.
And ahead of the KNVB Cup final between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, ex-Chelsea chief Hiddink had some words of wisdom for him.
Hiddink was speaking as a pundit for ESPN’s coverage when he was joined by Ten Hag.
The pair playfully wrestled before Hiddink was heard saying – in their native Dutch – “just do it”.
While Hiddink wasn’t explicitly referring to the Man Utd job, it’s was strongly implied.
While Ten Hag laughed it off, he has become increasingly frustrated with the rumours in recent weeks.
Ajax have already banned English journalists from speaking to the manager.
And Ten Hag told reporters to stick to Ajax questions or he’ll refuse to answer them.
Ten Hag told ESPN: “We are busy with training and with the matches. That way you keep the focus on it.
“I want to talk about the game and not about other things and whether or not I’ve had conversations.
“I won’t comment on rumours.
“Questions about the game or I am going inside.”
Ajax would go on to lose the KNVB Cup final 2-1, with PSV coming from behind to score two quickfire second half goals.
However, Ajax still lead the race to win the Eredivisie crown, sitting four points clear of PSV with just five games to play.
