What Robin van Persie could bring to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United coaching team

Manchester United appear to be on the verge of appointing Erik ten Hag as their new manager.

The Ajax manager was interviewed by United in March, and the Reds administration declared him as their preferred candidate to take over at Old Trafford. According to reports in the Netherlands, the Amsterdam club is preparing for life without Ten Hag in the future.

The question of who will accompany Ten Hag at Old Trafford is currently raging, with names like Jaap Stam, Steve McClaren, and Ruud van Nistelrooy all being connected in recent months. Former striker Robin van Persie is also allegedly being considered.

Van Persie, who is currently working with the Feyenoord junior teams, may be a perfect candidate to join the United backroom staff, having previously gained the admiration of United fans. Van Persie highlighted what he might provide as a coach in an interview with The Star in May of last year.

“It really triggered me, especially working with youth,” he remarked. It’s a pleasure to work with you.

“I am mentally and physically prepared to begin coaching. I was a creative player who disliked coaches who told me exactly what to do because I wanted my freedom, so today I strive to have two aspects to my teaching method.

“You have the team concept on one hand, and you have the personal manner of working with the players on the other. I try to [get them] to preserve their freedom at all times, because all of these men are extremely brilliant, which is why they play at such a prestigious club.

“It’s a constant struggle to strike that balance of forcing them to play according to your philosophy while also allowing them to be creative in their own manner.”