Man United boss Erik ten Hag will manage a different team during the international break… as he gets some time away from the Red Devils after back-to-back Premier League defeats
- Erik ten Hag returns to an old team of his during the international period
- Manchester United gave him permission to coach in a testimonial match
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Erik ten Hag will be given a short holiday by Manchester United as he coaches another team during the international break.
The Dutchman, who kept his job at the end of last season, endured a difficult start to the new campaign with two defeats in his opening three Premier League games.
A large number of his United players have left for the international break, which also frees up some space in the Dutchman’s schedule.
However, Ten Hag will be busy now that he is returning to the Netherlands to train with his old club FC Utrecht.
He has agreed to lead a team of former Utrecht players on Sunday, who will pay tribute to experienced defender Mark van der Maarel.
Erik ten Hag will coach another team once during the international period
The Dutchman has agreed to return to Utrecht to coach a team made up of former players
The reason is the testimony of Mark van der Maarel (right) after he retired this year after 16 years at the club
For Utrecht it is a match that cannot be lost, because the team of former players will compete against a team consisting of current Eredivisie players.
Van der Maarel retired from football earlier this year after 16 years at Utrecht. From 2015 to 2017 he played under Ten Hag.
During their collaboration they reached the final of the KNVB Cup and qualified for the Europa League.
The Mirror have reported that the 35-year-old Ten Hag had asked for a favour to become a manager in the game, with the United manager happily agreeing after receiving permission from his current club.
Ten Hag kept his job at United largely thanks to the club’s FA Cup final victory over local rivals Man City in May.
This despite the fact that they finished eighth in the Premier League and were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage.
Pressure is already mounting on Ten Hag after they lost 2-1 at Brighton, followed by a disappointing 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
But general manager Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth, who both joined the club in July, remain firmly behind the Dutchman.
United went into the international break after consecutive league defeats to Brighton and Liverpool (pictured)
Berrada said: ‘Erik has our full support and we have worked very closely together throughout this transfer window. We will continue to work very closely with him to help him get the best results from the team.
“Contract-wise, that was a decision that was made before both of our arrivals. But we are very happy with that decision.”
Berrada insisted support would continue even if United’s poor start continues, and added: ‘Absolutely. We think Erik is the right coach for us and we fully support him.’