Erik ten Hag has “no plans” to return as a coach at present despite the former Manchester United manager being hotly linked with Borussia Dortmund following Nuri Sahin’s dismissal.
The Dutchman has been spotted at the Signal Iduna Park in recent weeks watching the Bundesliga side in action, leading Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports Germany) to unusually describe the 54-year-old as the “shadow coach” for Sahin.
While this term is unclear in what it entails, it fuelled rumours that Ten Hag was set to take over at Dortmund with the Dutch coach the “favourite” for the position.
And there was an added twist to this from a United perspective, as Dortmund are one of the leading contenders in the race to sign Marcus Rashford on loan this month, despite the 27-year-old’s wage packet proving a major obstacle to any move.
Rashford revealed he was “ready for a new challenge” last month in an explosive interview which has subsequently seen him dropped from the first-team by Ruben Amorim – Ten Hag’s replacement at Old Trafford.
United are open to this departure with a loan move deemed the only feasible exit given Rashford’s exorbitant wages and complete lack of form.
And Dortmund are interested a move for the forward in a similar fashion to the one agreed last January for Jadon Sancho.
However, Liga giants Barcelona are considered the favourites to win the race for Rashford with the English forward believed to have made the Spanish club his first-choice option if a deal can be struck which satisfies United.
Regardless, the prospect of an unlikely reunion in Germany for Ten Hag and Rashford – a ludicrous thought just 18 months ago, following their successful 2022/23 campaign together – would have demonstrated how quickly things can change in football.
But Laurie Whitwell (The Athletic) has rejected the potential of Ten Hag taking over Dortmund at present as the Dutchman has “no plans to return to football at this time and will instead assess his options in the summer.”
This does not rule out the possibility Ten Hag may agree to take over Die Schwarzgelben in five month’s time, but Whitwell’s sources – described as “close the Dutchman” – appear adamant he will not be returning to management prior to that point.
It would be a sensible option for Ten Hag to pick, however, given his close relationship with Dortmund chief Matthias Sammer, the rapid scope for improvement of an underperforming side, and the open nature of football in the Bundesliga lending itself to the type of football the Dutchman sought to implement in the Premier League.
Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
