Manchester United’s first signing of the summer transfer window looks to be a new backroom staff member as Erik ten Hag rejigs his dugout set-up.
Go Ahead Eagles boss Rene Hake is expected to roll up at Old Trafford ahead of the new season having worked with Ten Hag in the youth ranks at FC Twente. He is not the only potential new arrival.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is mulling over whether to join the backroom staff at United all the while attacking coach Benni McCarthy’ sees his contract shortly expire with a renewal not yet agreed and an exit seemingly likely. There is more clarity over Hake.
READ MORE: Rene Hake set to join Manchester United coaching staff
READ MORE: Who is Rene Hake? Go Ahead Eagles boss, Erik ten Hag comparisons, style of play, Man United role
The chief of Go Ahead Eagles has now opened up on the current situation regarding his first-team manager, whom Ten Hag has spoken very fondly of in the past.
Eagles chief: No official United contact
Go Ahead Eagles technical director Paul Bosvelt says the club have received no official contact from United regarding an approach for Hake, but are well aware of their interest. Speaking to sportnieuws.nl, he admitted he could understand the temptation for Hake to go if an enquiry did arrive.
The outlet claims the club’s players have already been told about his imminent departure. Bosvelt said: “We are aware of the interest, but United has not yet reported to us. We understand that it is a great opportunity. But we will have to wait and see.”
MEN Sport says: Our sources have indicated that Hake’s arrival is inevitable, and reports in the Netherlands that say players have been told of his exit seems to point in the same direction, despite the formalities not yet being carried out.
There is a possibility that two managers who coached Eredivisie teams – Hake and Van Nistelrooy – join Ten Hag’s backroom staff, in what is an interesting move. What that says about the Dutch league itself is for others to conclude but United fans will hope too many cooks don’t spoil the already-lukewarm broth.
Ten Hag’s verdict on Hake
It seems Ten Hag and Hake are close allies, having worked together at Twente. Speaking to Voetbal International in 2023, the United boss unpacked his friendship with the 52-year-old.
“After our common period at Twente, we have always kept in touch,” he said. “We meet up and call each other. You talk about private matters, how things are going at home and with the children.
“But usually it is about football. (At Twente) he was incredibly driven, ambitious, but also extremely convinced of himself. A trainer who worked very methodically.”
MEN Sport says: It’s always helpful when a rapport is not started from scratch when a new coach member arrives, and it is even better that the two are already close friends. After the year of scrutiny Ten Hag has endured, he needs such support and in that regard, his arrival can only be positive.
The bigger question is what role he will have in Ten Hag’s set-up and what he brings to the table. Eagles finished ninth in the Eredivisie last season, their best finish for 15 years. Time will tell how he will influence proceedings but it’s yet another new face players at United will meet this summer.
Fancy free takeaway delivery, exclusive discounts, free music streaming and access to some of the best sports documentaries being made? These are just a few of the perks of Amazon Prime. Usually £8.99 a month, you can now get a 30-day free trial just in time for Amazon Prime Day, which brings the sites best deals of the year exclusively to Prime members.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
