Erik ten Hag is inching closer and closer to being the next permanent manager of Manchester United, according to reports.

Now, Ten Hag is on the verge of taking the position at Old Trafford and committing to supervise the club's next chapter in its long and storied history. He was interviewed little over three weeks ago, according to the Manchester Evening News, who claimed that the Dutchman is United's favorite choice for the post last month.

He is expected to leave Ajax this summer in order to join Manchester United, and reports in the last 24 hours suggest that a deal is now extremely close to being completed. The Dutchman has emerged as a popular choice among the club's supporters in recent months as the team searches for a new manager, and his anticipated hiring is expected to be well greeted.

Ten Hag has resurrected Ajax since taking over as manager in December of last year, at least in Europe. Earlier this season, they thrashed Borussia Dortmund twice in the group rounds of the competition, advancing to the semi-finals of the competition.

The fact that Pep Guardiola and other high-profile managers around Europe have praised Ten Hag is not surprising. At Bayern Munich, Ten Hag had a fruitful working relationship with the Catalan that left an indelible impression on the City boss.

"We chatted fairly regularly, and he is just a wonderful person and human being," Guardiola said earlier this month in a statement. I was taken aback by how humble he appeared.

"Just take a look at his Ajax team over the last few seasons to see his qualities." It is a pleasure to watch. "They did it in many, many games, not only the one in which they advanced to the Champions League semifinals." Take a look at his squads to see what he is capable of. Watching a manager's team for an extended period of time will help you define him. This is a team, and the manager is in charge of making the players perform.

"There is absolutely no doubt about that. The only way to know for sure is to phone Manchester United and say, "Guys, take him."

Not only Pep Guardiola has gushed over Ten Hag in the Premier League. Earlier in the year, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lauded the 52-year-credentials, old's characterizing him as a "exciting talent" in the field of managerial leadership.

According to Klopp, "Erik is properly recognized as one of the most fascinating coaching talents in international football at the moment because of the work he does with Ajax," when asked about the Ajax coach in December of 2020. "Of course, it is a magnificent club – one of the most illustrious names in European football – but at this point, it is apparent that they have outstanding leadership of the organization, with Erik playing a significant role in that success.

Following the departure of a number of players to rival clubs in recent seasons, they have had to adapt. I recall from my own Dortmund experience how it feels and what a challenge it is to be in that situation.

"The manner in which they deal with it is extraordinary. Team members have been recruited well and the foundations remain strong.

"They have a distinct personality. I have to admit that I enjoy seeing them."