Manchester United target Eric Ten Hag frustrated by Ajax transfer policy and wants Champions League challenge

Eric Ten Hag has revealed his frustration about the current situation at Ajax.

The 52-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer, has insinuated that he is unhappy with the huge turnover of players at the Eredivise club.

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Ajax’s policy of selling top talent at the right price comes with its difficulties and means Ten Hag has regularly had to rebuild his team.

And the Dutchman has implied that he is beginning to become annoyed by the selling nature of the club amid a move to Old Trafford.

He said: “The lifespan of our team has always been short in recent years.

“I understood - and still understand - the sale of players.

“But you can hardly cope with such bloodletting if you want to continue to play a significant role in the Champions League.

“You need giant players for that - and Ajax can not buy that calibre of players.”

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Ten Hag’s views on sporting directors is also something that will intrigue United, after they offered current interim boss Ralf Rangnick a two-year consultancy role at the end of the season.

It shows that the club may be keen to follow in the footsteps of many other Premier League outfits that have a sporting director.

And Ten Hag has recently said that he is more than happy to work with one, and even have them in the dugout with him - which could see Rangnick stay pitchside at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag added: “I love the German model. In Germany, it is a common thing that sporting directors sit right next to you on the bench there.

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“If you have a good sporting director, you know he takes a lot of the noise away around the manager - both internally and to the outside world.

“He will back you up and will also take away all the hassle with football agents. That way I can fully concentrate on the team and the development of the players.

“I can only see the advantages of a sporting director close to you on the bench. I want a sporting director who can be honest and straight.

“If something is not right, you know quickly and can be told to your face because you work with each other every day.”