Sir Jim Ratcliffe suffers Manchester United manager blow with target set to follow Erik ten Hag

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly set for a managerial hammer blow this summer as Nice boss Francesco Farioli is expected to be poached by Ajax.

Voetbal International reported on Wednesday that the Dutch giants were closing in on Farioli after the Italian led INEOS' Ligue 1 club to the Europa League next season. The Amsterdam club have struggled this campaign as they continue to adapt to life without Erik ten Hag.

Manager John van 't Schip announced in March he would be leaving the club at the end of this season and would eventually lead them to the Europa League qualifiers. It now appears his replacement has been discovered with Farioli keen on moving to the Johan Cruyff Arena.

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Journalist Fabrizio Romano has added that Farioli will sign a long-term deal in the Netherlands and Ratcliffe having already agreed on a settlement package with Ajax. It is believed that the Italian could be flying to Amsterdam as soon as today to complete his move to Ajax.

The decision by Farioli will be disappointing for Ratcliffe who has been pleased with the progress Nice have made under his management. The working relationship between the two parties was also hailed by Farioli who told The Telegraph last year: "I like to listen to the feedback I receive because it’s good to have different perspectives and different input. Afterwards, I have freedom in the decisions on the pitch.

"In other things, a bit more for the medium and long term, there is always an open door. We share our opinions and we have periodic, day-by-day or weekly conversations.

"But also with the club, we have a monthly review of everything with all the parts involved – about the strategy, about the present and also about the future." Ratcliffe could have more managerial drama this summer at Old Trafford too with MEN Sport aware that the INEOS founder is unsure on whether to keep Ten Hag for next season.