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Manchester United’s summer transfer window is kicking off with changes afoot in both the makeup of the first team squad as well as the coaching staff.
It was relayed by The Peoples Person recently that former club striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake were spotted arriving at Carrington for the start of pre-season training.
Both the Dutch coaches are expected to form part of Erik ten Hag’s new-look coaching staff and now, The Daily Mirror has claimed that Ten Hag’s right-hand for his last two years at United, Mitchell van der Gaag has left the Red Devils.
Van Der Gaag has been with Ten Hag during his spell at Ajax and at United and was quite popular with the players and was not only important for his coaching, but also for his communication skills.
Van der Gaag leaves United
The 52-year-old had the ability to speak five different languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, something which made him invaluable considering the global makeup of the United squad.
“Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s trusted assistant Mitchell van der Gaag is understood to have left the club.
“Van der Gaag has been Ten Hag’s right-hand man in his two years in charge of United and also worked with him during his previous spell in charge of Dutch side Ajax.
“But in a major shake-up of United’s coaching staff, which has seen the recruitment of the club’s former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and another Dutchman in Rene Hake, Van der Gaag’s association with Ten Hag is understood to have ended.”
The report did not clearly state whether it was Ten Hag’s decision to part ways with his long-term associate considering the poor results last season or whether the change was forced upon by INEOS after they conducted a thorough end-of-season review.
Coaching revamp
Another assistant coach, Steve McClaren, who has close ties with Sir Dave Brailsford, is expected to be retained but his exact role moving forward is yet unknown.
United are yet to confirm the arrivals of Nistelrooy and Hake due to work visa issues but the duo were given a tour of the facilities in a bid to familiarize them with their new home.
The 20-time English league champions are also hiring a new goalkeeping coach, in the form of former Burnley coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar.
Pre-season training began on Monday as the first set of players returned to Carrington. United will travel to Norway to play Rosenborg on Monday in their first pre-season friendly.
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