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Ruud van Nistelrooy has arrived in Manchester to be unveiled as Erik ten Hag’s new assistant coach at Manchester United, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Romano posted on X this morning that “Ruud van Nistelrooy, already in Manchester to be unveiled as new Man United assistant coach.
“Exclusive story, set to be confirmed. Two year contract already signed, van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake will be both part of Erik ten Hag’s new staff.”
🚨🔴 Ruud van Nistelrooy, already in Manchester to be unveiled as new Man United assistant coach. Exclusive story, set to be confirmed.
Two year contract already signed, van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake will be both part of Erik ten Hag’s new staff. pic.twitter.com/3elDK8t7MP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 8, 2024
The legendary striker and Dutch coach Hake will join Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff as Ineos continue their overhaul of backroom operations.
It is expected to signal the departures of attacking coach Benni McCarthy, whose contract at United has expired, and more importantly, Ten Hag’s number two, Mitchell van der Gaag.
The exact roles within Ten Hag’s coaching team that Van Nistelrooy and Hake will occupy are yet to be confirmed.
Logically, as one of the most lethal goalscorers in the club’s history, Van Nistelrooy could be a direct replacement for McCarthy, who failed spectacularly to get United’s forwards firing last season.
However, the highly-ambitious Dutchman pulled out of the race to be manager of Burnley to take the Old Trafford job, so it seems more likely that he will have a more influential position, possibly replacing Van der Gaag as Ten Hag’s number two and leading training.
It has even been speculated that the former PSV Eindhoven boss is being groomed as Ten Hag’s successor should performances not quickly improve from last season.
Reports also suggested that Ten Hag would resist the removal of McCarthy and Van der Gaag, so even though he is believed to have a good working relationship with Hake, the appointment of the two new coaches would appear to have been made by Ineos rather than the manager.
United begin pre-season training today so Van Nistelrooy’s timing is perfect, much as it was when he netted 95 times for the club as a player.
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