Mitchell van der Gaag followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Manchester United in 2022 but the assistant coach has now departed Old Trafford to pursue his career ambitions
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that right-hand man Mitchell van der Gaag has left Manchester United in order to become a first-team manager himself.
Van der Gaag was Ten Hag’s trusted assistant at Ajax and the pair both made the move to Old Trafford in May 2022. The 52-year-old coach helped United win a trophy in each of his two seasons but won’t continue in his role for the upcoming campaign.
That’s allowed Ten Hag’s good friend and the former manager of Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles, Rene Hake, to join the Dutchman’s coaching setup alongside compatriot Ruud van Nistelrooy, who’s been brought in to replace outgoing forward coach Benni McCarthy. In a statement announcing the pair’s arrivals, Ten Hag paid tribute to Van der Gaag and McCarthy.
“Mitchell has decided that now is the right time for him to pursue his own ambitions in a number one position,” the United boss, who was recently handed a one-year contract extension, remarked. “I want to pay tribute to his fantastic service over the past two years. “Also to Benni for his important contributions. We send them our thanks and best wishes for the future.”
Steve McClaren and Darren Fletcher will remain part of Ten Hag’s backroom staff, now joined by Hake and Van Nistelrooy. Hake helped Go Ahead Eagles to their best league finish in 15 years last season and they’ll even take part in the Conference League play-offs later this summer.
Van Nistelrooy, meanwhile, spent five years at Old Trafford, scoring 150 goals in only 219 appearances and winning the Premier League title in 2003 under Sir Alex Ferguson. The ex-striker managed PSV Eindhoven in the 2022-23, winning the Dutch cup, and was in talks to take the Burnley job before United’s successful pursuit.
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“I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff,” Ten Hag said of their appointments. “Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level.”
The Red Devils’ newly-appointed sporting director, Dan Ashworth, also said: “Together with Erik, we are working to strengthen all areas of our men’s first-team operations, and refreshing the coaching staff is an important part of that.
“It’s a particular pleasure to welcome Ruud back to the club where he enjoyed so much success as a player, and I know that he and Rene will help reinforce the winning mentality and high standards we are aiming for.”
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