Fred Rutten, the Dutch coach, has disclosed that he has turned down the chance to work as Erik ten Hag’s assistant at Manchester United.
Ten Hag was named United’s new manager last month. Ten Hag has agreed to a three-year deal with United, with an option for a fourth year, and is expected to arrive at Old Trafford after helping Ajax win the Eredivisie.
The 52-year-old is expected to bring some of his own staff to United, as well as inherit some existing backroom staff members – Ralf Rangnick appointed Chris Armas and Sascha Lense this season. Mitchell Van der Gaag, who is currently an assistant coach at Ajax, is expected to join Ten Hag in Manchester, but United has yet to finalize details on that and other assistant coach contracts.
Erik Ten Hag
Rutten, the former PSV and Schalke manager, has now revealed that Ten Hag has asked him to be his assistant at United.
“Erik ten Hag offered me to be his assistant at Manchester United, and I declined,” the 59-year-old told Dutch television.
“I’m married and have grandchildren. I want to visit them every now and then,” Rutten told ESPN, as reported by Metro. “You get on a train at Manchester United and you can’t get off. I’d like to feel at ease in something you step into. PSV is an example of this.
‘Having grandchildren to see every now and then and play ball with is lovely. Of course, I spoke with Ruud van Nistelrooy extensively.
“He pushed me to give up my little more liberated lifestyle. He sat in the room with me for two hours, talking about football and other topics. He also triggered me when we talked about other things in life.
“Ruud, I believe, has some expertise, as he has previously trained a number of teams, including Jong PSV’s under-18s.
“He also has national team experience with the Dutch natonal team. Ruud appears to be prepared, at least. I am a critical reviewer. PSV represents a Champions League club to me. Everything you do should be in service of that idea.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Rutten will leave NEC Nijmegen’s supervisory board to join PSV, where Van Nistelrooy will succeed Benfica-bound Roger Schmidt.
He has also managed Schalke, PSV, Vitesse, Feyenoord, Al-Shabab, Maccabi Haifa, and most recently Anderlecht. He won one KNVB-Beker title with Twente in 2001.
Ten Hag is anticipated to bring current assistant Mitchell van der Gaag to the Premier League, as well as Steve McClaren.
Following Man United’s devastating 4-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, Ten Hag will not be leading the Red Devils into the Champions League next season, with sixth place currently the most the Red Devils can hope for.
However, the two-time Eredivisie winner is said to have advised Man United not to contact him while he concentrates on the rest of the season with Ajax, who are four points ahead of PSV at the top of the league with two games remaining.
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