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AN overhaul of Manchester United’s backroom is set to see Go Ahead Eagles manager Rene Hake join the club’s coaching staff.
Hake, 52, led the Dutch side to ninth in the Eredivisie last season.
GettyHake and Erik ten Hag worked together at the youth level at Twente and have been compared to each other for having a similar coaching style.
And now the two are set to reunite at Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is on the verge of rejoining United as a coach after doubts that Benni McCarthy will stay.
United have declined to comment on any coaching appointments as they prioritise securing a contract extension for Ten Hag.
McCarthy joined United in 2022 but his contract expires this summer.
Meanwhile, Eric Ramsay left earlier this year to take over at MLS side Minnesota United.
The Red Devils are understood to want to revamp their coaching model similar to how Manchester City is with Pep Guardiola supported by a large backroom staff.
Van Nistelrooy previously managed PSV Eindhoven and was in the running for the vacant Burnley job.
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Erik ten Hag is no safer now than before FA Cup win
By Neil Custis
After Manchester United announced Erik ten Hag was staying on, they tried to explain why it has taken over two weeks since the Dutchman paraded the FA Cup at Wembley to actually tell him he still had the job.
A thorough review of the season was needed even though Ten Hag said before the Cup final that this had been done.
The club said that they had ‘considered all eventualities’.
In other words ‘which manager would be best for us, and not necessarily the bloke we have got?’.
And the club were also at pains to make it clear how much they admired Ten Hag’s ‘dedication, dignity and professionalism’.
In other words he did not publicly flip his lid at the appalling way he was being treated despite asking Ratcliffe for a public vote of confidence months before the end of the season.
Let us remember Ratcliffe did not even namecheck Ten Hag in his ‘congratulations message’ after the FA Cup was won, despite the fact it was all down to him and the way he outthought Pep Guardiola on the day.
Read the full column from Neil Custis on Manchester United.
The series of changes followed after Ineos reviewed the club’s poor performance last year saw them finish in their worst league position – eighth.
Already United have recruited City’s former chief football operating officer Omar Berrada to take over as chief executive.
Berrada joined his former colleagues including ex-City academy director Jason Wilcox who became United’s technical director in April and former City employee Toby Craig who has joined as chief communications officer.
Wilcox was suggested by Berrada but does not take official charge until July 13 and the Moroccan is believed to have a close working relationship with Craig.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s right-hand man Mitchell van der Gaag and analyst Kevin Keij followed the Dutchman to United from Ajax two years ago.
And Steve McClaren returned to the club as first-team coach.
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Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
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