Manchester United: Talks now underway to assemble Ten Hag’s coaching staff
Ten Hag has assessed the current squad and discussed future signings with United to a detailed degree, but his attentions for the rest of the season will be on attempting to clinch a third Eredivisie title with Ajax — his work in the Netherlands is described as an obsession — and he will not be part of recruitment meetings at his new club. Nor will he be poring over United games.
Ten Hag insisted on telling Ajax players directly before the official announcement of his move to Old Trafford was made at 11.10am UK time on Thursday. Simultaneously, Murtough formally told United’s squad of the incoming manager at Carrington.
The Athletic understands that United have negotiated Ten Hag’s release from Ajax outside of the minimum €2 million (£1.7 million) release clause, which only became active between May 16 (the date of Ajax’s final game) and June 15.
Talks are now set to take place to assemble Ten Hag’s coaching staff, with negotiations at an advanced stage for Mitchell van der Gaag, his assistant at Ajax.
Steve McClaren is also under serious consideration, having worked with Ten Hag at FC Twente. Ten Hag has proposed McClaren to United and proper discussions are set to take place.
Now conversations can happen freely, it is described as a live situation, with Ten Hag’s exact team yet to be established. United feel there is benefit in Ten Hag seeing what is already in place at Carrington, although Ralf Rangnick’s coaches Chris Armas and Ewan Sharp are expected to leave once the summer comes.
One stellar name has come up in discussions, The Athletic has learned. Wayne Rooney was informally proposed as a possibility for the coaching staff. But Rooney has made it clear he would only leave Derby County for a No 1 position. He turned down the Everton job after Rafael Benitez’s dismissal when asked to interview.
Robin van Persie has also been mentioned but the former United striker was ruled out on the basis of being unable to gain a work permit in a post-Brexit landscape.
