Ajax may provide Erik ten Hag with a way out as the pressure increases on the manager of Manchester United.

Ajax are currently on the hunt for a new head coach for the upcoming season. They have narrowed down their search to two Premier League figures: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders. The Mirror reports that Ajax has compiled a shortlist of potential managers, which includes both Ten Hag and Lijnders. The responsibility of finding a replacement for John van ‘t Schip, who served as the interim coach this season, has been given to the club’s new chief executive, Alex Kroes. Ajax had a disappointing campaign, finishing at the bottom of the Eredivisie table after a poor start. Lijnders is seen as the more realistic option, as he is expected to leave Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp departs at the end of the season and has aspirations of landing a senior role. However, sources close to Ajax have confirmed that Ten Hag is still in the running, and the club has not ruled out the possibility of offering him an escape route from Old Trafford. Ajax, currently fifth in the Eredivisie, are not willing to pay compensation during their search for a new boss. The final decision on Ten Hag’s future at Manchester United will be made by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the end of the season, and the Dutchman may even leave before the final year of his contract if he is not given the assurances he desires.

In other news, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe remains confident about the signing of Lewis Hall from Chelsea, despite the player not meeting all the contractual requirements for a transfer. The Sun reports that the 19-year-old had been rumored to be returning to Chelsea, but Howe insists that Hall will be a Newcastle player next season. The club has agreed to pay Chelsea £28 million for the player following the end of his season-long loan. Although Hall has not met all the criteria for the move to be made permanent, Howe is preparing for him to be at Newcastle for many years.

Meanwhile, Fulham is determined to retain three key players – Tosin Adarabioyo, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Kenny Tete – beyond the current season. The Evening Standard reveals that manager Marco Silva wants all three players to sign new contracts. Adarabioyo, a center-back, has attracted interest from Liverpool, Tottenham, AC Milan, and Napoli in recent months, and his contract expires this summer. He has already turned down at least one offer for a new deal. De Cordova-Reid, a 31-year-old attacker, is also set to become a free agent, while the club has the option to extend Tete’s stay in west London by another year. It remains to be seen if any of the trio will still be with Fulham next season.

Lastly, Jose Mourinho is eager to return to football management after his departure from Roma, and he has several options on the table. The Daily Mail reports that Mourinho’s top priority is to find a new job. The Portuguese tactician was sacked by Roma in January, midway through his third season at the club. He is now considering a return to the Premier League, a fresh start in the United States, or a move to the Saudi Premier League. Mourinho is ready to embark on his next chapter in football.