By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Manchester United have announced the appointment of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy and his fellow Dutchman Rene Hake as Erik ten Hag’s new assistant managers.
Ten Hag signed a new deal with the club last week, extending his contract to 2026, and Van Nistelrooy has been brought in as part of a strengthening of his backroom staff. Hake has also joined the first-team setup in an assistant role.. Both have signed two-year contracts.
As part of an overhaul of the coaching team, former assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy have left United but Steve McClaren and Darren Fletcher, who was technical director, remain with new job titles as senior first team coach and first team coach respectively.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, scored 95 times in 150 Premier League appearances for United between 2001 and 2006. He is the club’s most prolific scorer in European competition.
He managed PSV Eindhoven in the 2022-23Eredivisie season, securing a second-place finish and winning the Dutch Cup, before resigning ahead of the final day of the season.
Van Nistelrooy was PSV Eindhoven manager in 2022-23, winning the Dutch Cup and finishing second in the Eredivisie and was recently interviewed for the Burnley job, which eventually went to Scott Parker.
Hake, an old ally of Ten Hag, has managed Go Ahead Eagles for the last two seasons, leading them to ninth place in the Eredivisie last year.
Ten Hag said: “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.”
Sporting director Dan Ashworth added: “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.”