Erik ten Hag is according to Catalunya Radio emphatically in the picture at Barcelona. Chairman Joan Laporta would have the Ajax coach at the top of his list as a possible successor to Ronald Koeman. In Catalonia, however, it is realized that it will be very difficult to tempt Ten Hag to make a switch in the middle of the season. If the choice actually falls on 51-year-old Tukker, the idea would be to fire Koeman and appoint an interim trainer for the rest of the season.
Koeman has been on the seesaw as a Barcelona trainer for weeks and is expected to be fired in the short term, according to Spanish media. Last Wednesday against Benfica (3-0 loss) he may have been on the bench for the last time as Barca coach; tonight he is serving a suspension against Atlético Madrid. In recent weeks, the Spanish newspapers have already mentioned various names that would be candidates to take over the baton from the Dutchman. The names of Andrea Pirlo, Xavi, Roberto Martínez and Marcelo Gallardo were the most frequent.
Ten Hag was also mentioned in the corridors, but was not seen as a serious candidate because of his contract with Ajax. In the radio program El Supplement it has been reported that Laporta now bets high on the trainer of the Amsterdam team. His contract with Ajax is seen as a ‘handicap’. Therefore, Laporta would bet on an offer for after this season. Should Ten Hag intervene, the Camp Nou is thinking of a temporary solution. The Spanish trainer Albert Capellas, currently working as academy manager at Barcelona, is mentioned as an option to finish the season.
Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano announced that Ten Hag will not leave Ajax during the season. “Let me provide clarity about Ten Hag, because I get a lot of questions about that,” the journalist said in his interview Lord We Gopodcast. “It’s a very good trainer, but no way that he will leave Ajax in the middle of the season. That is not his style and he also has a good relationship with Marc Overmars. He signed and promised Overmars that he would not leave, so there is nothing to get for Barcelona.”
“What should you do with it?”, Ten Hag openly asked himself almost two weeks ago just before the kick-off of the match against Fortuna Sittard (0-5). “We are now enjoying Ajax”, said the trainer when he continued ESPN was asked about the alleged Spanish interest. Former Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola, who maintains a good relationship with Laporta, would have broken a lance for Ten Hag at Barcelona, reported reporter Jan Joost van Gangelen. “I don’t know it all”, replied the Ajax coach. “Let’s just talk about this match.”
“This kind of rumor is especially fun for you, the media. But not for us,” emphasized Ten Hag, who signed a new contract until mid-2023 in the Johan Cruijff ArenA in April. “I know what I have here and with which people I work here”, Ten Hag explained at the time the reason for his contract extension. “In addition, I know how we can take the next step with this team. I am happy here.”