EriK’S not ‘SHoW me tHe money’

Simon muLLocK

MANCHESTER UNITED have been told that money will not be an issue if they want Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford – but the Dutchman has still been stunned by the club’s failure to offer him a contract.

Ten Hag, 52, met with

United bosses last week to talk about becoming their new manager – and they were impressed by his assurances that getting time to rebuild the team was more important than a fat contract. The Ajax coach comes from a well-off background and is already fabulously wealthy thanks to his stake in his family business and earnings from the game.

But after laying out his vision to bring the glory days back to Manchester he was amazed when

United did not open contract talks.

United want to speak to other candidates like

Mauricio Pochettino

(right) and Luis

Enrique. Ten Hag made it clear he is interested in making history not money.

He is a major shareholder in the property and financial services empire set up by his father, Hennie. Its huge portfolio of interests includes one of the biggest estate agents in Holland and is now run mainly by Ten Hag’s two brothers, Rico and Michel.

Ten Hag’s father failed to convince his son to finish a university course in economics and finance before throwing himself totally into football as a young player with FC Twente.

Asked if his son ever came close to joining the family firm, Ten Hag senior said: “No, Erik didn’t feel like it. Football has been his thing from an early age. I remember Erik came to tell us that he quit his studies so he could focus on football.

“My wife and I were worried about his life after football.

“We could not have imagined that he would have such a wonderful coaching career.

“Erik just wants to be treated fair by people, and when they don’t treat him fair, he finds that very difficult.

“When he started at Ajax and the fans were sceptical of him, it had a big impact.

“Erik works day and night to achieve what he wants in football.

“The only time he lets everything go and joins the party time is when it is Carnaval in the Netherlands.”