Why Wayne Rooney ‘turns down’ dream chance to return to Man Utd with Erik ten Hag
Wayne Rooney is said to have rejected down a position on Erik Ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United.
The Dutchman has agreed to a three-year contract with the option of a fourth year to take over as manager of the Red Devils at the end of the season. Ten Hag’s appointment was confirmed by United on Thursday, with Mitchell Van der Gaag, Ten Hag’s long-time Ajax assistant, set to join him at Old Trafford as his no.2.
Ten Hag is also expected to appoint Steve McClaren as part of the club’s revamped coaching staff. Ten Hag was McClaren’s assistant when the former England manager took over at FC Twente in the Netherlands in 2008 before moving on to PSV Eindhoven, and the two have remained close ever since.
According to The Athletic, Rooney was a target for United since he was unofficially suggested as a possible addition to Ten Hag’s coaching staff, but the Derby County manager made it clear that he would only leave the Rams for a managerial role.
Ten Hag insists on being who he says he is “”It is a tremendous honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United, and I am hugely delighted by the challenge ahead,” he said, adding, “It is a wonderful honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United, and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead.”
“I am well-versed in the history of this great club as well as the passion of its supporters, and I am motivated to build a team capable of delivering the results they deserve. It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these amazing years, but I can tell our supporters that I will give everything I have to finish this season successfully before moving to Manchester United.”
John Murtough, United’s football director, was ecstatic to see the Ten Hag transaction come to fruition.
He continued, ” “Erik has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting and successful coaches over the last four years, recognized for his team’s attractive, offensive play and devotion to youth.
“We were genuinely impressed with Erik’s long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, as well as his ambition and desire to achieve that, in our conversations leading up to this appointment.”
