Mitchell van der Gaag to Stay at Manchester United Despite Ajax Vacancy
Mitchell van der Gaag, the assistant coach at Manchester United, is expected to remain at the club despite the managerial vacancy at his former club, Ajax. Ajax recently parted ways with head coach Maurice Steijn after a string of poor performances, leaving them second from bottom in the Eredivisie table.
Van der Gaag, who previously worked as the No 2 to Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam before moving to Old Trafford, is highly regarded by former United boss Louis van Gaal, who recently returned to the club as an advisor. However, Ajax is aware of Van der Gaag’s importance in Ten Hag’s coaching team at United and expects him to stay in his current position.
Before joining Manchester United, Van der Gaag coached the Ajax youth side and later moved up to work with the first team under Ten Hag. Both Van der Gaag and Ten Hag are under contract until 2025.
Ajax appointed Steijn as head coach after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign but failed to turn their fortunes around. The team has not won a match since August 31, and their recent 4-3 defeat to FC Utrecht proved to be Steijn’s last game in charge. Chief executive Jan van Halst cited the lack of sporting success and team development as reasons for Steijn’s departure.
Ajax will now face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Europa League on Thursday as they look to bounce back from their poor league form.
The departure of Steijn adds to the ongoing crisis at Ajax, which has seen a decline in performance and a lack of success on the pitch. The club has been struggling to regain its former glory and has faced numerous challenges in recent years.
For more in-depth coverage on Mitchell van der Gaag and his journey as Ten Hag’s assistant, you can read our article titled “Mitchell van der Gaag, Ten Hag’s assistant who almost died in the dugout.” This article provides a deeper insight into Van der Gaag’s experiences and the challenges he has faced in his coaching career.
Additionally, if you want to understand how Ajax has reached its current crisis, our article titled “How Ajax imploded” offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to the club’s decline.
As Ajax looks to rebuild and regain its position as one of the top clubs in Dutch football, the future of Mitchell van der Gaag at Manchester United remains secure. His expertise and contribution to Ten Hag’s coaching team are highly valued, and it is expected that he will continue to play a crucial role in the development of the team.
While Ajax searches for a new head coach to lead them out of their current predicament, Mitchell van der Gaag will continue to work alongside Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. His experience and knowledge will undoubtedly benefit the club as they strive for success both domestically and in European competitions.
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