AJAX TECHNICAL MANAGER Gerry Hamstra has insisted the club are trying to persuade head coach Erik ten Hag to stay in Amsterdam despite expectations that he will soon join Manchester United.
Ten Hag, 52, is believed to be United’s number-one choice to take over at Old Trafford, with reports suggesting his appointment could be confirmed later this month.
But, speaking ahead of Ajax’s 2-1 KNVB Beker final loss to PSV Eindhoven on Sunday, Hamstra, who took over from Marc Overmars earlier this year, said there was still a possibility Ten Hag would stay in his job.
“There is interest for Erik ten Hag, that is normal. He has done fantastic,” Hamstra told ESPN.
“We hope he stays. We have to stick with the facts, he has not left yet. He still is focusing on Ajax, so do we.
“We did everything possible [to keep him at Ajax]. We were very busy with that. He reacted that he is focusing on Ajax now. Now we are preparing for two scenarios, Ten Hag might stay or might leave.”
The KNVB Beker had been one of Ajax’s two remaining major targets this season – they sit four points clear of PSV at the top of the Eredivisie – but Sunday’s final ended in disappointment.
Ajax took a 23rd-minute lead when Ryan Gravenberch scored from outside the box, but, after Noussair Mazraoui had a second Ajax goal overturned by VAR, PSV turned it around with two goals in three minutes early in the second half.
Erick Gutierrez poked home after Ibrahim Sangare was denied from Cody Gakpo’s free-kick and two minutes later Gakpo added a second.
Ajax had chances to level – a Davy Klaassen strike was ruled out for offside after another VAR review – before Dusan Tadic saw his shot come back off a post.
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14 try on the back to back against Northampton. Unheard of. This team are something else.
Brilliant performance and great to have so much to work on, thought watching Ross off ball he needed to come out earlier with the BP sorted and schedule ahead. Incredible achievement to be the first team to qualify after 4 games considering every year someone has the “handy group”. All that aside all they have is a top 5 finish next it’s about getting there big performances over next 3 weekends before completing the Euro blocks. Was great to see all the Leinster genuine fans watching munster and willing them on in the Aviva before our match as sometimes there are so many stones or grenades chucked in here it could cloud the fact we all want Irish teams to do well.
Agreed. Any team, any code, from this island. Great evening at Landsdowne Rd. Tried to will Munster over the line, but had to be content with (another) great Leinster performance & result.
What a win ,sadly for a contest it was over after 20 mins second half tag rugby no big hits ,but I got to see my nephews make their debut,….half-time U11s
@rugbyanbeer: U11’s were brilliant! Some future stars on show
@BMJF: walking on air they were
Current Irish XV ? :
1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Henderson
5. Ryan (c)
6. Levy
7. Van Der Flier
8. Stander
9. Cooney
10. Sexton ( if fit )
11. Stockdale
12. Farrell
13. Ringrose
14. Conway
15. Larmour
16. Scannell
17. Kilkoyne
18. Porter
19. Beirne
20. Deegan / Doris
21. Gibson Park
22. Carberry
23. Henshaw
@Bob Joe: Dorris outperforming Stander. Argument to be made for Henshaw ahead of Farrell. Regrettably saying this as a munster fan but unfortunately it’s the truth.
@Cortis Jr.: As a Leinster fan, I personally feel Henshaw and Ringrose is the best partnership but watching Farrell he seems to have all the attributes of fantastic 12. Can’t see Aki getting a look in. Will be close if both on top form
@Bob Joe: Leavy rehabilitating knee no?
@Martin Kennedy: back in the gym baby! Won’t play this season by the looks of it though.
@Bob Joe: when does Lowe qualify for Ireland ? Is it after 6nations? It’s great to see Leinster on top form again as last year was definitely a dip. Munster players forced their way into the Irish squad that couldn’t get in in 2018, and that was more to do with dip in form of some rather than improvement in form from guys breaking in. It was telling in Ireland’s performances
@Cortis Jr.: I don’t see the point is have two aging props in Healy & Kilcoyne coveting the same position – neither will make next World Cup, so pick one experienced head and have an understudy a bit like Furlong/Porter! Who’s the young prop that’s going to dislodge Healy or Kilcoyne?
@BMJF: I would have both Healy and kilcoyne in the next 6n squad certainly. Just because they’re 30+ doesn’t mean they should be automatically cast aside especially with both being in v good form( kilcoyne is currently injured I know). Likewise even if a 20/21 year old has great potential doesn’t mean he should be put straight into a 6n squad, training squad yes but 6n squad no. If these young players aren’t getting consistent game time in the big games for their province and dislodging the likes of Healy or killer then why should they be ahead of them for their country? For me Eric O’Sullivan should be the 3rd lh brought into the squad. His form and durability( often playing 70+ min a game) is exceptional. He’s brilliant in the loose and his scrummaging is v solid.
Seriously on fire at the moment
Lol . I’m afraid Leo doesn’t take too many good ones
Says a lot about how far ahead of the pack they are.
Frawley once again looks the real deal. Hopefully Sexton and Ross B involved in Irish setup, giving Frawley & Harry B their deserved opportunities.
Wtf with the photo!
@Gary Donlan: it is a great shot alright!
I can’t see how Aki wouldn’t be one of the Centres
@Brian Hennelly: for us to go forward the ability to move to ball before contact for the likes of Earls stockdale larmour and Ringrose is vital a 12 who takes contact before moving the ball is not the best option for that
@Chris Mc: how many times have you watched aki this season? He’s the most consistent and best performing Irish 12. Mccloskey close behind. Aki has 5 turnovers the most of any of the 12 options. 142m gained the most of any of the 12’s. 90% tackle success the joint most of all the 12’s along with mccloskey but Aki has made more tackles. He has beaten 16 defenders double that of any other 12. He’s made 16 passes second to Scannell who’s made over 30. He has 5 clean breaks and 4 offloads the most of any 12 this season. Who would you have playing 12 for Ireland?
Wouldn’t it be nice to see Ireland play with that width and forwards & backs interplay!!
I can’t see why Aki wouldn’t be one of the Centres We missed him against New Zealand in World Cup
Northampton were missing 4 of their best players for both matches courtney lawes and 3 all blacks….leinster would still have won but it would have been better matches
He’s got big ears
@And_Helipad: Coz Noddy wouldn’t pay the ransom.
Only 4 possible winners: Racing, Clermont, Saracens and above.