Steve McClaren has spoken of returning to work with Erik ten Hag, with the new Manchester United No. 2 enjoying the opportunity and the new dawn under the Red Devils.
Ten Hag officially began work on the Old Trafford seat on Monday as he seeks to review the club after an abysmal season by his standards.
McClaren will be part of this hopeful revolution, having been incorporated as the No. 2 Dutchman, when the pair reunited after a season together at Dutch side Twente in 2008-09.
Steve McClaren (right) enjoys the opportunity to work with Erik ten Hag (left) at Manchester United as an assistant coach after the latter’s appointment.
McClaren (right) will be Ten Hag’s right hand man as they try to get United back to the top
And speaking of the task ahead, McClaren could only speak enthusiastically about Ten Hag and his meticulous work ethic, stating that the latter began directly planning a day after winning the Eredivise title with his former club. Ajax.
“We had the meetings the day after the championship, and it got official and we got to work,” McClaren said, speaking to his son Josh on his McClaren Performance podcast.
“He came to London last week where I met him and Mitchell [van der Gaag – assistant manager too] i [football director] John Murtough, and we spent five days together, six days including yesterday with the press, and seven today.
“Work ethic, attention to detail has been re-exemplified in recent days where he has met virtually all staff members with whom he will work very closely, and in detail has drawn up the plan, what is the work of each.
“It’s like going back in time 10 years ago when I first met him, everything was planned and that’s how it is again.”
Going even further, the 60-year-old compared Ten Hag’s mentality to United’s legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson, adding that he just wants him to succeed.
McClaren has been effusive in his praise of the Dutch work ethic, with plans they already had
‘[Working with Ten Hag] It allowed me time to look at the full extent of the work at Twente, it allowed me to concentrate, look, listen, take care of the work and finally find a small niche where, as a team manager , could make me. my impact.
“I guess in the last seven days they’ve summed it up again, the attention to detail, all the planning, they want to get it right. This is from the day after they won the championship with Ajax, said Sir Alex Ferguson.
“We just want to support Erik and make him successful, because if he is, the team will be.”
United’s pre-season begins in June, with Ten Hag calling their early players and McClaren can’t wait to get started.
“It’s not only exciting to be back at Manchester United, it’s exciting to be working with Erik again. Mitchell, he’s a very, very good coach, and hopefully along with the [existing] staff – John Murtough has also been a great help – we can start in mid-June, the players are back and it’s a fresh start.
“Erik is looking forward and I’m definitely looking forward to it. It’s been great to get back on track for the last seven days and get back in touch. one in the field “.
Ten Hag officially began work as Manchester United’s new coach on Monday
Now beginning his second stint at Old Trafford, McClaren was the assistant to Ferguson’s iconic figure between 1999 and 2001. Today’s first campaign, 60 years old, coincided with his winning Treble icon .
McClaren’s return to United sees him reunited with Ten Hag. The couple know each other well, as Ten Hag has been McClaren’s assistant during the 2008-09 season at Dutch side Twente.
It was McClaren’s first campaign in Dutch football and the change of role now at United marks Ten Hag’s first foray into the English game.
McClaren and Ten Hag worked together successfully during this one season, with Twente finishing second in the Eredivisie. Ten Hag left that summer and McClaren led the Dutch team to its only top-flight title the following term.
Ten Hag was McClaren’s assistant coach at Dutch side Twente during the 2008-09 season.
McClaren was Sir Alex Ferguson’s No. 2 (third left) at United for three years between 1999-01