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Ineos would like to replace Mitchell van der Gaag as Erik ten Hag’s assistant at Manchester United.
The number two manager is not a popular figure among United’s players according to a new report from The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell.
In a long and rambling account of Ten Hag’s United, Whitwell spoke of player dissent and disharmony, with his coaching methods being an area of ​​particular concern.
“Tactically, Ten Haag is highly respected, but there is little room for maneuver in his vision. Van der Gaag has a similar personality and some players saw him and Ten Haag as “bad cop, bad cop,” notes Whitwell.
Players have expressed frustration with practice schedules being kept secret until the last minute and the lack of days off during a busy schedule. However, Ten Haag and Van der Gaag argued that rowdy outings, such as the one attended by five players in Las Vegas during the pre-season tour, could be avoided if players could not plan their time off in advance.
Despite a ridiculously strong work ethic, Van der Gaag’s “relationship with some players and other staff members was not always smooth, however, due to his sharp, occasionally caustic comments,” notes the reporter.
It also suggests the coach often found himself at loggerheads with the other assistant manager, Steve McClaren.
Sir Dave Brailsford’s in-depth moratorium on United’s formation following Ineos’ takeover of football operations has led to “talks of Ten Hag getting a new No. 2 in the summer to lift spirits at Carrington”.
To date, however, Ten Haag has been able to resist Brailsford’s desire to replace his trusted lieutenant.
Regardless, “the question of Van der Gaag’s role may come up again,” Whitwell concludes.
The reporter goes on to note that to a large extent the poor working environment may be the result of Ten Haag having little input or support from the old regime above him.
“In that environment, Ten Haag took the initiative and leaned into the stubborn side of his personality to try to take control of the group,” says Whitwell.
“Those who know him feel that he might have relaxed a bit if he had been able to get along with a more assertive personality at the executive level.
“One player acknowledged these wider problems when he confided privately that the club was being run ‘like a circus’.”
Towards the end of the season, the manager relaxed a number of his draconian measures, allowing 10 days’ notice of the schedule and giving players more days off. Whether this led to a successful campaign finale is a matter for speculation.
If the strong structure of footballers around him allows Ten Hague to relax, then the suggestion is that Van der Gaag’s hard-nosed personality could become more palatable to the players. A strong start to the season could therefore be vital in determining both men’s futures at Old Trafford.
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