Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their reported hunt for Erik ten Hag at the end of the season. The current Ajax boss may soon be represented by the same agency as Pep Guardiola's brother, Pere, which could give Manchester City the upper hand when it comes to their own pursuit of the Dutchman once the more famous Guardiola departs.
The Red Devils turned to Ralf Rangnick in November after Michael Carrick had calmed the chaos of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.
A six-month spell on the sidelines is set to be followed by two years in a consultancy role for the German, which would leave United on the hunt for a new boss once again in the summer.
The likes of Brendan Rodgers, Mauricio Pochettino and Ten Hag were all banded about as possible appointments in recent weeks, although prising them away from their respective clubs proved difficult.
But a summer move would be much more feasible, granting ample time to Leicester, PSG or Ajax respectively to find a replacement.
Erik ten Hag could be represented by the same agency as Pep Guardiola's brother (Image: GETTY)
According to The Mirror, it is the Ajax man who United have pinpointed as their preferred target once Rangnick's managerial tenure is up.
Sporting director Marc Overmars is reportedly against Ten Hag's departure, but that is to be expected in light of the stellar work he has done in Amsterdam.
United's local rivals, Man City, could face similar difficulties when the time comes to replace Guardiola, with his contract due to expire in 2023.
However, The Athletic have revealed that the Sky Blues could soon hold a joker up their sleeve with a link between Ten Hag and Guardiola threatening to emerge.
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Pere Guardiola, the younger brother of Pep, is supposedly set to join Dutch-based agency Sports Entertainment Group (SEG).
Ten Hag is already a client, along with former Premier League marksman Robin van Persie.
With Pep Guardiola's exit from the Etihad already earmarked for the end of next season amid his international management ambitions, City are bound to pursue a boss who can build on the Catalan's brand of free-flowing football.
Having taken Ajax to the cusp of a Champions League final in 2019, and played exciting football in the process, Ten Hag may be one of the only managers on the planet deemed capable.
Ralf Rangnick is expected to make way from the Man Utd dugout at the end of the season (Image: GETTY)
City's prospective links to Ten Hag are not the only thing on United's plate at present, with Covid wreaking havoc on their squad and schedule.
Tuesday evening's tie with Brentford was postponed, while Guardiola's side will aim to continue their Premier League title defence against Leeds United.
With Chelsea and Liverpool not playing until Thursday, three points would allow City to stretch their lead at the top of the table.