Report: Everton eyeing manager who Jurgen Klopp called one of the ‘most exciting’ in world football

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Speculation has intensified as to who could be the next Everton manager in wake of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.

The Italian had three years left on his Everton contract, but he has now rejoined Real Madrid.

The Athletic claims that Everton have hastily drawn up a shortlist of replacements.

And Ajax coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly in the frame for the Toffees hotseat.

Who is Erik ten Hag?

The 51-year-old was a centre-back in his playing days and enjoyed a fruitful career in Dutch football.

He played for FC Twente, De Graafschap, RKC Waalwijk and FC Utrecht, winning a Dutch Cup and a Dutch second-division title.

Ten Hag then began his managerial career in 2012 at Go Ahead Eagles.

He has worked his way up the career ladder, joining Ajax in 2017, and has been superb at the Johan Cruyff arena.

Ten Hag has two Eredivisie titles, two Dutch Cups and a Johan Cruyff Shield to his name.

What have Ten Hag’s peers said about him?

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has sung Ten Hag’s praises in the past.

“Erik is rightly regarded as one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football at the moment because of the work he does with Ajax,” Klopp said in December 2020, via Planet Football.

in 2018, Karl Heinz-Rummenigge said: “Erik is a very pleasant guy.

“I also think he’s capable of doing big things as a coach and he’s proving this now.

“I think this Ajax team is the best one they’ve had for 10 years.

“Around the last years, they were not one of the top international teams, but he is leading them gradually back at a high level.”

TBR View:

Ten Hag is a quality manager who has proven himself at Ajax and looks destined for a move elsewhere.

Admittedly, he recently signed a new deal at the Amsterdam giants, but only until 2023.

Everton need a top manager to replace the high-calibre Ancelotti and Ten Hag certainly fits the bill.