Ruud van Nistelrooy and former Go Ahead Eagles manager arrive for day one of Man United’s pre-season – along with a third unannounced coach – as Marcus Rashford checks in

  • Erik ten Hag is going to shake up his coaching staff for next season
  • Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake will both join as his new assistants
  • Listen to It’s all about to begin! EUROS DAILY: Gareth Southgate has become a bit cocky… and the mask has fallen

Ruud van Nistelrooy is photographed arriving at Manchester United’s training complex, where he will start working with Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.

The Red Devils legend is expected to be officially announced as one of Ten Hag’s new assistant coaches soon, with the players returning today for pre-season training.

Van Nistelrooy will also be joined by René Hake, after United lured him away from Go Ahead Eagles to support Ten Hag next season.

After his contract was extended until 2026 following talks over his future, Ten Hag is set to shake up his coaching team with Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals during his five-year spell at Old Trafford, and Hake, who was called up as part of a major shake-up.

Burnley had targeted Van Nistelrooy to replace Vincent Kompany following their relegation to the Championship, but United had already made use of his services prior to Ten Hag’s third season in charge.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is photographed arriving at Manchester United’s training ground

United legend Van Nistelrooy is expected to be announced as one of Erik ten Hag's assistants

United legend Van Nistelrooy is expected to be announced as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants

Ten Hag's coaching staff will undergo a reorganization this summer with the arrival of two new employees

Ten Hag’s coaching staff will undergo a reorganization this summer with the arrival of two new employees

The 48-year-old has impressed during his coaching career, working at various levels in PSV Eindhoven’s academy and alongside Guus Hiddink for the Dutch national team. He was appointed PSV manager in March 2022.

Despite winning the Johan Cruijff Shield and the KNVB Cup in his only full season as national coach, Van Nistelrooy resigned due to a lack of support.

Hake meanwhile worked with Ten Hag at FC Twente and led Go Ahead Eagles to an impressive ninth place in the Eredivisie last season.

He has already confirmed that he will be reunited with his former United colleague.

“The feeling I have is hard to describe, but of course this is a great opportunity for me,” Hake said Football International.

‘Working in the biggest league in the world, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Hake is a former colleague of Ten Hag, with whom he worked at the Dutch club FC Twente

Van Nistelrooy was Burnley's top target to become their new head coach next season

Rene Hake (left) will also join Van Nistelrooy (right) in a coaching role at Old Trafford

Hake (left) worked with Ten Hag (right) at FC Twente and they remained in close contact

Hake (left) worked with Ten Hag (right) at FC Twente and they remained in close contact

United's striker coach Benni McCarthy is believed to have left the club after his contract expired

United’s striker coach Benni McCarthy is believed to have left the club after his contract expired

‘It is also a wonderful reward for me. That I can go to the top of the world from Go Ahead Eagles is unique. Of course I am grateful to Erik for this opportunity, but it is not about us knowing each other well. We just have to do a good job.

‘Erik has a role in mind for me, we discussed that. As in any staff, all tasks are divided among the assistants.’

Benni McCarthy, United’s popular forwards coach, is believed to have left the club after his contract expired. As revealed by Mail Sport, no decision has been made yet on the futures of Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McLaren.

Van der Gaag and McLaren were at Ten Hag’s side during his first two seasons, but the future of both clubs is uncertain due to the new signings.

The former appears to be closer to leaving and is said to have ambitions to become a manager again, having been head coach in Portugal and the Netherlands.

Discussions are believed to be underway with McLaren over a role next season.


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