Man Utd have confirmed the appointments of the Dutch coaching duo of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake as part of Erik ten Hag's new coaching staff ahead of the 24/25 campaign.
The two of them have signed a 2-year deal seeing them remain at the club until June 2026, the same time Erik ten Hag's new contract expires.
Rene Hake was the former boss of Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles (a team that Erik ten Hag also managed) before he decided to quit from to join United.
A video of Rene Hake has been doing the rounds in which he rips into his team for poor performances. This indicates that he isn't a guy to be messed about with. Very up front is Mr Hake. A typical Dutchman then 🤣.
Ruuuuudddddd van Nistelrooy needs no introduction when it comes to United fans. The former MUFC striker joins after having not been in management for a year after leaving PSV Eindhoven in the 22/23 season. According to the BBC, he left because players were unhappy with his coaching methods 👀.
The arrivals of both Hake and van Nistelrooy signals the end of both assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag (who wants to be a head coach in his own right) as well as striker coach Benni McCarthy.
Erik ten Hag had this to say about his new assistants:
"I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff.
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."
On the departures of his now former coaches, Erik ten Hag explains that "Mitchell [van der Gaag] has decided that know is the right time for him to pursue his own ambitions in a number one position; I want to pay tribute to his fantastic service over the past two years, and also Benni [McCarthy] for his important contributions. We send them our thanks and best wishes for the future."
Sporting Director Dan Ashworth also put in a word about the new coaching appointments:
"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.
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."
Final Thoughts
I'm personally super excited to first of all have Ruud van Nistelrooy back at the club. I'm a huge fan of his as he is my favorite striker of all time and thought that he was underrated in England.
To have him return as an assistant can only do wonders simply because of what he did at United previously and his career overall. What a mentor he will be to look up to for everyone but particularly the forwards. What a man to learn from as a young striker for Rasmus Hojlund and probably Joshua Zirkzee as well should that deal get over the line.
The fact that Ruud apparently turned down head coach roles at other clubs makes me feel even better about his appointment. Knowing that he was willing to sacrifice a manager position somewhere else in favor of an assistant job at United is pretty good to hear.
Nice when people turn down others to join Yanited 😁.
Rene Hake is a man whom I know very little about but that clip does make me intrigued as to what he will do at United.
With the departures and these new appointments, I trust Erik ten Hag and the new football structure in that they've made the correct decisions.
A very Dutch oriented summer from United so far. Let's see what they can do.
Background Image: Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy | Image credit: Manchester United via Goal