Manchester United announced last month that Erik ten Hag will be their new manager.
The former Ajax boss was interviewed for the permanent position at Old Trafford in March and was officially appointed in April signing a deal until 2025. United also have the option to extend his deal by a further year should they wish to.
Reports had suggested that Ten Hag would be looking to bring in Mitchell van der Gaag to work alongside the Dutchman in the 2022/23 season. MEN Sport revealed on Thursday that Van der Gaag is flying into Manchester for talks with the Reds about becoming the new assistant manager at Old Trafford, but who is he? Here is everything you need to know.
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Who is Mitchell van der Gaag?
Van der Gaag began his football career at PSV Eindhoven in their academy. He spent most of his playing career as a defender in the Netherlands.
The Dutchman did play for Motherwell for two seasons and helped them achieve survival with seven goals in 28 games, his only experience of British football. Van der Gaag finished his playing career at Maritimo in Portugal, which is where he started his coaching career.
After spells at Belenenses and Ermis Aradippou, his most notable managerial position came at PSV's city rivals FC Eindhoven in 2015. He did well there before leaving for Excelsior Rotterdam and then NAC Breda.
His affiliation with Ajax began in 2019 when he became their U21 manager. Last summer, Van der Gaag was promoted to assistant manager of the Amsterdam club's first team by Ten Hag.
How does Erik ten Hag know Mitchell van der Gaag?
As mentioned above, Van der Gaag is the current assistant at Ajax. He has been in the role since 2021 and has settled in well as the 52-year-old's right-hand man.
What is Mitchell van der Gaag's football philosophy?
Explaining how he wanted his U21 side to play at Ajax, Van der Gaag said: "We want to dominate for longer periods of the game and be dominant. We have to constantly pay attention to the field occupation, runs in the depth and the occupation in front of the goal.
"The players like to have the ball in their feet, so we have to constantly pay attention there [and] impose."
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