Erik ten Hag explains why 'loyalty' was key factor in Man Utd coaching shake-up with Ruud van Nistelrooy among staff members to arrive at Old Trafford

Erik ten Hag explained why "loyalty" was a key factor in Manchester United appointing Ruud van Nistelrooy among staff members.

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• Ten Hag shook up his staff after signing contract
• Nistelrooy is back at Old Trafford
• Ten Hag explained his surprise appointment

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Van Nistelrooy, along with Rene Hake, has secured a two-year contract as part of Ten Hag’s revamped coaching setup following his contract extension until 2026. This marks the former striker's first association with the Red Devils since his departure in 2006.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ten Hag reasoned that Nistelrooy's return is part of a broader effort to integrate familiar faces and trusted professionals within the club as he aims to bring about a cultural shift, emphasizing loyalty and expertise. In addition to Van Nistelrooy and Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar has also been brought on board as the first-team goalkeeping coach. This is nothing short of a coup as Ten Rouwelaar had initially agreed to join Ajax just two months prior.

• WHAT TEN HAG SAID

  Addressing concerns about the influx of Dutch coaches, Ten Hag was clear that expertise took precedence over nationality. "If you want to get better, you have to innovate," he stated in an interview with .

  “Yes, we have looked closely at that (changing the staff). But when it comes to Mitchell van der Gaag, for example, with whom I have worked fantastically, things were a little different. He wanted to become a head coach again. Then that is the time to break up. I look at quality. This is the Premier League. Not only do you look at the absolute top when composing your group of players, this also applies to the coaches, specialists and staff members.

  “In almost the entire English top management you see that managers surround themselves with international top people, often people with whom they have a relationship of trust or who they already know. It was no different at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp and now under Arne Slot. But you see it everywhere. At Manchester City, at Arsenal, at Spurs, at Aston Villa. Spaniards, Germans, Dutch, Australians, you name it.

  “I started looking for people who I know are good. Loyalty is also a thing. Ruud van Nistelrooy: a fantastic, experienced coach with United DNA. We have a talented British coach in Darren Fletcher. Rene was someone with the same profile as Mitchell had: a very good and experienced, analytically strong field coach. And Jelle ten Rouwelaar has trained three Dutch internationals, including Bart Verbruggen. With his innovative training material, he is one of the great talents when it comes to modern goalkeeper training.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The decision to retain Ten Hag came after a challenging season for Manchester United, which saw the club finish eighth in the Premier League standings. Despite this, his ability to lead the team to an FA Cup victory against Manchester City at Wembley was crucial in retaining the job.