Man United appoint ex-Ferguson’s staff assistant coach

Manchester United has appointed Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren assistant coaches.

The duo will be joining Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff at the Old Trafford next season.

Van der Gaag and McClaren were welcomed to the realty and the big task that await them at Old Trafford having watched United’s 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on the final day last Sunday.

The duo, however, bring with them a wealth of European experience and hands-on coaching expertise to United having had a successful spell alongside Ten Hag.

Van der Gaag was Ten Hag’s assistant at Ajax, having previously enjoyed a two-year spell in charge of the Amsterdam club’s reserve side. His playing career included experience of British football, with two years in the Scottish top flight with Motherwell.

His latest appointment is, however, still subject to Governing Body Endorsement from the FA and a UK visa.

A former central defender who started his career with his career with PSV Eindhoven, he also represented NEC, Sparta Rotterdam and Utrecht in his home country and Portuguese side Maritimo. He retired in 2007 at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr.

The 50-year-old’s coaching career began back in Portugal with Maritimo and then Belenenses, whom he led back to the Primeira Liga by winning the Segunda Liga. After a short spell in Cyprus, he returned home to the Netherlands in 2015, where he worked with FC Eindhoven, Excelsior and NAC before joining Ajax in 2019.

McClaren on the other hand was by Sir Alex Ferguson’s backroom staff that won three Premier League title. He was Alex’s assistant manager for three seasons before leaving in 2001 doe Middlesbrough.