Manchester United's contract negotiations with Erik ten Hag will involve discussions about his role in the club's recruitment and the composition of his coaching team, sources have revealed.
ASN reported that Ten Hag will remain as manager following United's end-of-season review. Consequently, club sources indicated that talks to extend Ten Hag's contract will commence, with his current deal set to expire in 2025. A key focus of these negotiations will be Ten Hag's influence over recruitment and the structure of his coaching staff.
Ten Hag's contract, which he signed upon joining from Ajax in 2022, includes a clause allowing him a veto on transfers both in and out. However, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, led by Sir Dave Brailsford, prefer to delegate recruitment responsibilities to a dedicated staff.
This team will be led by incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, chief scout Steve Brown, and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves. Under this new structure, Ten Hag would have "a voice" on transfers, but his primary focus would be on managing and coaching the squad.
Sources have also disclosed that discussions will address the makeup of Ten Hag's coaching team, particularly the future of forwards coach Benni McCarthy. McCarthy, appointed by Ten Hag in 2022, is out of contract this summer, and no new deal discussions have taken place.
While Ten Hag wishes for McCarthy to remain, Brailsford is considering the addition of an external coach to work alongside assistants Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren. There is a belief that an outside coaching appointment, approved by Ashworth and Wilcox, could help quickly implement a "club-led game model" rather than one solely determined by the manager.
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