Ajax are likely to fail with any approach for Mitchell van der Gaag as Louis van Gaal looks to lure Manchester United assistant coach back to Holland

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Ajax are set to face an uphill battle to lure Mitchell van der Gaag back to Holland
Louis van Gaal is eager to bring in the Manchester United assistant coach
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By SAMI MOKBEL FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 14:42 EDT, 23 October 2023 | Updated: 15:03 EDT, 23 October 2023

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Ajax are likely to fail with any approach to lure Manchester United assistant boss Mitchell van der Gaag back to the club.

The Eredivisie side have sacked Maurice Steijn following the club’s disastrous start to the season that leaves them in 17th place.

Legendary Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has returned to Ajax in a consultancy role and and is keen for Erik ten Hag’s No 2 to have role in the Amsterdam club’s new look coaching set-up.

However, Mail Sport understands that Ajax face a uphill battle to lure the 52-year-old back to Holland.

Van der Gaag is a key part of Ten Hag’s backroom team at Old Trafford and the United head coach is desperate to keep his long-term aide alongside him.

Ajax are likely to fail with any approach to lure Mitchell van der Gaag back to the club

Van der Gaag (right) is a key part of Erik ten Hag (left)'s coaching staff at Manchester United

Former United boss Louis van Gaal is back at Ajax as a consultant and is targeting van der Gaag

Any move back to the Dutch capital for Van der Gaag would depend on the coach pushing to leave United, a scenario that is rated as unlikely.

Van der Gaag has a close relationship with Ten Hag, having worked with the manager at Ajax before the pair arrived in Manchester ahead of last season.