Erik ten Hag’s former assistant supervisor – Mitchell van der Gaag – has opened up about his time at Manchester United.
Van der Gaag served beneath Ten Hag after following him from Ajax to Previous Trafford in 2022, serving to the Crimson Devils win the EFL Cup and the FA Cup in his two seasons on the membership.
After a shake-up of United’s teaching crew in the summertime of 2024 – which noticed Ruud van Nistelrooy change him as assisant – Van der Gaag left the membership in July that 12 months to pursue a managerial function elsewhere.
The 53-year-old was unveiled as FC Zurich’s new head coach this Could, signing a two-year take care of the Swiss facet.
Van der Gaag described his tenure at United as a ‘fantastic’ interval, however admitted there was one main disappointment that caught with him from the two-year spell.
‘I look again on my time at Manchester United positively,’ he informed Givemesport. ‘I believe it was two fantastic years. They had been very optimistic and I discovered loads.
Erik ten Hag’s ex-assistant has revealed his solely ‘disappointment’ from his spell at Man United
Mitchell van de Gaag stated he wished that United had been higher within the Europa League in 2023-24
Ten Hag was sacked by United final October – 5 months after main the membership to an eighth-place end – their worst ever within the Premier League on the time
‘The primary 12 months was very optimistic as a result of we completed in third place, gained the Carabao Cup and went to the FA Cup ultimate.
‘I believe the one disappointment, for my part, was that we may have been higher within the Europa League. However I believe the primary 12 months was very optimistic, so everybody anticipated that we may enhance within the second season.’
United bowed out of the Europa League in 2023-24 after a humiliating 5-2 mixture defeat by Sevilla within the quarter-finals.
After taking a 2-0 lead within the first leg at Previous Trafford, United collapsed late on, conceding twice within the ultimate ten minutes to go away the tie stage at 2-2. However the second leg in Spain proved a catastrophe, with Ten Hag’s facet slumping to a 3-0 defeat.
In his debut season, Ten Hag introduced renewed optimism to Previous Trafford. United completed third within the Premier League, clinched the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup ultimate.
However regardless of the silverware, his second 12 months introduced a bunch of challenges. United struggled to an eighth-place end within the Premier League and exited the Champions League on the group stage.
Ultimately, United salvaged their marketing campaign with a dramatic win over Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup ultimate at Wembley – a triumph that, Van der Gaag stated, helped put a extra optimistic spin on a turbulent 12 months.
He added: ‘That was a really unusual season [2023-24]. We weren’t ok within the Premier League or Champions League. There have been very unusual outcomes as nicely as a result of there have been video games we had been profitable comfortably after which drawing or dropping.
At United, Ten Hag gained 70 of his 128 video games in cost – a 54.69 per cent win charge – the third-highest of any supervisor to supervise 100 or extra video games within the membership’s historical past
In his debut season, Ten Hag led United to a third-place Premier League end, clinched the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup ultimate
United struggled to an eighth-place end within the Premier League in his second season, however salvaged it with triumph within the FA Cup
The 55-year-old now manages Bayer Leverkusen, having succeeded Xabi Alonso in Could
‘However, in the long run, we gained the FA Cup. It places every part in a optimistic approach, in order that was necessary.
‘They had been two years after I discovered loads, particularly about the best way the Premier League features, the best way soccer is performed and the tactical variations. It was one thing that I actually loved.’
Ten Hag was dismissed final October with Man United mendacity 14th within the Premier League after profitable simply 4 of their opening 14 matches.
His departure got here regardless of the membership triggering a one-year contract extension final summer time.
The Dutchman had beforehand served as coach of Bayern Munich’s second crew between 2015 and 2017.
Ten Hag then loved a formidable spell at Utrecht, earlier than main Ajax to 3 consecutive Dutch titles and the 2019 Champions League semi-finals.
At United, Ten Hag gained 70 of his 128 video games in cost – a 54.69 per cent win charge – the third-highest win charge of any supervisor to supervise 100 or extra video games within the membership’s historical past.
The 55-year-old now manages Bayer Leverkusen, having succeeded Xabi Alonso in Could.
