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Manchester United managerial target, Graham Potter, is frustrating Ajax in their attempts to bring him in as manager.
The top job at Old Trafford could soon be vacant as United have officially been ruled out of Champions League qualification for next year.
Even a place in the Europa League may have to be secured by winning the FA Cup as Tottenham and Newcastle United are ahead of the Red Devils in the league standings, as they flounder in seventh position.
A range of managers have been linked to replacing Erik ten Hag at the club, such as Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter.
However, a lot of positions will be vacant this summer so if United do decide to sack Ten Hag, there may be quite the game of managerial musical chairs about to take place across Europe.
Potter himself has also been linked heavily to the Ajax position even though many top journalists believe Ten Hag is the “dream candidate” and he has recently spoken out on his desire to return to his former side in the future.
The links between Potter and United have died down a little recently but it is still causing a problem for his potential move to Amsterdam.
Footballtransfers claims “Ajax still want Graham Potter to become their next head coach, yet that promises to be an increasingly difficult task with Manchester United still linked to the manager.”
“In terms of project and philosophy, Ajax seem to be at an agreement with the former Chelsea and Brighton boss, yet there is a sticking point in terms of money, with the agent of the 48-year-old having left the Amsterdam club exasperated.”
“It’s understood that Potter’s agent, John Morris, is playing hardball and Ajax have almost had enough of it. They wanted to get a deal wrapped up a fortnight ago, but the final agreement is still not there. The situation is ‘worrying.’”
In addition, two of the most famous Dutch football journalists, Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen, both believe that Potter has eyes for United and not the Eredivisie giants.
Verweij told De Telegraaf (via Footballtransfers) that “what bothers me about Potter, is that you hear and understand very clearly that he is suitable for Ajax. Okay, but he would rather go to another club.”
Driessen also asserted that “I just get the strong feeling that he is almost using Ajax and now also Feyenoord to put pressure on Manchester United, for example, where he really wants to go. Is this the way to play it?”
The former Chelsea coach is seen as one of the favourites for the Old Trafford job due to his close relationship with incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth.
However, with United not potentially sacking Ten Hag until at least after the FA Cup final, perhaps Potter is playing a dangerous game and may miss out on the chance of coaching one of Europe’s most famous clubs for the false promise of a job at the Theatre of Dreams that may never come.
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