Erik ten Hag has detailed the reasons behind his decision to shake-up his coaching staff after being backed with a new contract by Ineos.
Manchester United endured a miserable campaign last season, finishing bottom of their Champions League group and ending up eighth in the Premier League – their worst league finish since 1989-90.
There were fears that Ten Hag would lose his job over the results, but after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos decided to stick with him over the summer, he has wasted no time in freshening up his coaching team with some fresh voices.
Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has come in, while former Go Ahead Eagles boss, and close friend of Ten Hag, Rene Hake also joins as an assistant, with Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy leaving.
‘If you want to get better, you have to innovate,’ Ten Hag told Dutch publication AD.
‘I went looking for people I know are good. Loyalty is also a thing. Ruud van Nistelrooy: a fantastic, experienced coach with United-DNA.
‘With Darren Fletcher we have a talented British coach. René was someone in the profile like Mitchell had: a very good and experienced, analytically strong field coach. And Jelle ten Rouwelaar has trained three Dutch-internationals, including Bart Verbruggen. With his innovative exercise material, he is one of the great talents when it comes to modern goalkeeper training.’
The appointment of goalkeeping coach Ten Rouwelaar upset Ten Hag’s former club Ajax, before an agreement was struck.
‘They were not happy with that, no,’ he added.
‘I had already spoken extensively with Jelle in February and March. Because many things were still uncertain at the time, including about my own position, I could not yet make hard agreements about that. I’m glad Ajax eventually cooperated to make this possible.’
