Manchester United have taken a significant step in their pursuit of former glory by appointing former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as an assistant to manager Erik ten Hag.
This move is part of a larger strategy to rejuvenate the coaching team and reinforce the club's winning mentality. Joining Van Nistelrooy in the coaching setup is René Hake, completing an all-Dutch managerial team aimed at pushing United to the next level.
Despite a challenging season that saw United finish eighth in the Premier League standings, Ten Hag's contract has been extended until 2026.
"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," Ten Hag stated.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 95 goals in 150 Premier League appearances for United between 2001 and 2006, returns with a wealth of experience. He is the club's top Champions League scorer with 35 goals and recently guided PSV Eindhoven to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie and a Dutch Cup triumph in the 2022–23 season.
United's sporting director, Dan Ashworth, expressed his excitement about the new appointments: "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."
Hake, with two decades of coaching experience in the Netherlands, joins the team as Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy exit the Old Trafford coaching staff. Additionally, United's Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek has completed a permanent move to Spanish Liga club Girona.
This new managerial team reflects Manchester United's commitment to revamping their approach and achieving success in the upcoming seasons.
