Manchester United has taken a significant step towards their goal of returning to former glory by appointing former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as an assistant coach to manager Erik ten Hag. The club also brought in Rene Hake in a similar role, completing an all-Dutch managerial team. This appointment comes alongside a contract extension for ten Hag, keeping him at the Premier League club until 2026.
Ten Hag expressed his enthusiasm for the new additions, stating, “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.”
Van Nistelrooy, a legendary figure in Manchester United history, boasts an impressive track record. During his time at the club between 2001 and 2006, he scored 95 goals in 150 Premier League appearances, establishing himself as the team’s top Champions League scorer with 35 goals. He also enjoyed success with the Netherlands national team, netting 35 goals in 70 appearances. More recently, van Nistelrooy guided PSV Eindhoven to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie and a Dutch Cup triumph in 2022-23.
United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth highlighted the significance of the new coaching appointments, emphasizing their role in strengthening the team’s overall operations. “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,” Ashworth said. “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.”
Hake, with over 20 years of coaching experience in the Netherlands, brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. His appointment, alongside van Nistelrooy’s return, signifies a strategic move by Manchester United to build a formidable coaching staff.
The arrival of these new coaches comes at a time of change for Manchester United. Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy have both departed the Old Trafford coaching staff, while Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek has completed a permanent move to Spanish Liga club Girona. These changes mark a significant shift for the club as they strive to reclaim their place among the Premier League’s elite.
