Louis van Gaal has advised Erik ten Hag to join a 'football club' should he choose to leave Ajax - calling Manchester United a 'commercial club' in the process.
Ten Hag has been linked with the United job in recent weeks and many believe he's the top candidate to succeed Ralf Rangick, ahead of Mauricio Pochettino.
The 52-year-old is regarded as one of the game's brightest coaches but he's yet to coach in any of Europe's top five leagues.
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Van Gaal, who managed United between 2014 and 2016, thinks it's the wrong move for ten Hag to make.
He explained per TheEuropeanLad: "Erik ten Hag should join a football club, not a commercial club. Manchester United is a commercial club."
The current Netherlands boss took over from David Moyes in 2014 and attempted to change United's style of play and philosophy.
As well as that, he brought a number of big names to Old Trafford including Angel Di Maria and Falcao.
It didn't go to plan and he was sacked at the end of his second season after coming outside the top four.
Van Gaal did manage to win the FA Cup in his final game as boss.
Fabrizio Romano has reported two other clubs are interested in ten Hag meaning it isn't a free hit for United as it stands.
Ten Hag joined Ajax in 2017 and helped them to Eredivisie glory in 2019, which was their first league title in five years.
That same year, he guided them to a Champions League semi-final, which they lost in dramatic fashion to Tottenham Hotspur.
On their way to that semi-final they claimed the scalps of Juventus and reigning champions Real Madrid.
United have sped up their search for a new manager in the international break.
The Red Devils sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November and appointed Rangnick as an interim the following month.
While performances have improved, results have left United sixth in the table and four points behind Arsenal in fourth.
United are out of the Champions League and FA Cup and their top four hopes rely on the teams around them slipping up.
It's expected to be a summer of upheaval and a number of first-team players are out of contract including Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba.
Who do you think will be Manchester United's next permanent manager?
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Louis Van Gaal, Manchester United, Netherlands
Daniel Marland