ERIK TEN HAG’S trusted assistant Mitchell van der Gaag is understood to have left Manchester United.
The Dutchman has been Ten Hag’s right-hand man for the two years he has been in charge at the Red Devils.
GettyErik ten Hag’s trusted assistant Mitchell van der Gaag is understood to have left Manchester United[/caption]
GettyVan der Gaag has been Ten Hag’s right-hand man for two years[/caption]
Van der Gaag also worked with the United boss during his previous job at Ajax.
The club’s overhaul of their backroom staff has seen former Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy return to Old Trafford and Rene Hake join the coaching team.
But this has meant Van der Gaag’s time with Ten Hag is understood to have ended, with the Dutchman thought to be keen on leading a side himself.
The 52-year-old was popular amongst the United players with the ability to speak five different languages including English, Spanish and Portuguese.
It is still not certain whether the former PSV star’s exit was Ten Hag’s decision or the leadership team and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s, following their end-of-season review.
The British billionaire has employed Sir David Brailsford as well as a new sporting director in Dan Ashworth, CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Van Nistelrooy and Hake arrived at United’s Carrington training complex yesterday morning.
The club are yet to release a statement on Van der Gaag’s exit but former England coach Steve McClaren, who is a part of Ten Hag’s coaching staff, is understood to be staying at United.
McClaren is close to Ratcliffe’s right-hand man Brailsford.
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United will unveil their coaching staff after Van Nistelrooy and Hake’s contracts and work visas are confirmed.
The Red Devils returned to training yesterday and will travel to Norway on Monday to play Rosenborg in their first pre-season friendly, followed by Rangers in Edinburgh on Jul 21.
And at the end of the month Ten Hag’s squad will head on a two-week pre-season tour of the US where they face Arsenal in LA, Real Betis in San Diego and Liverpool in Columbia.
They then return to the UK ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10.
Harry Maguire, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford, who didn’t make the England squad for different reasons, are expected to feature in the freindlies.
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Ruud Van Nistelrooy has arrived for his first day back at Manchester United
Rashford and co returned to training yesterday
Harry Maguire reported back after missing out on England’s Euro 2024 squad through injury
MAson Mount was also spotted back training at Carrington Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
