Steve McClaren and Erik ten Hag are settling down at Manchester United after a “mad” start to their time in charge at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s rebuild has kicked into gear after the former Ajax boss was officially unveiled last week. Having taken in his first game at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season, the Dutchman has put together his support team, while he's also finalised his retained list.
McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag have been appointed as Ten Hag’s assistants, while the departures of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata have all been announced this week. They follow Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani and Lee Grant, whose exits have also been confirmed.
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The work doesn’t stop there for Ten Hag and his team, with plenty to do as they pick up the pieces following a disastrous season for United, and McClaren has admitted it has been a hectic start to their tenure at Old Trafford. “It’s been a busy week, settled down after a mad week with Erik getting everything planned for the new season,” McClaren said.
Ten Hag has wasted no time in getting down to work in his new role. The 52-year-old made his way over to the UK just days after taking charge of his final game with Ajax and has been working non-stop since as he lays down his plans for next season.
Speaking about the first week to his son, Josh, on the McClaren Performance podcast, McClaren said: "Erik finished his last game [at Ajax], came to London where I met him and Mitchell [van der Gaag] and John Murtough and together we spent five or six days including [Monday] with the press. So we have spent the last week working.
"The work ethic and the attention to detail has just been exemplified in the last seven days where he's practically met every member of staff who he is going to work very closely with and in detail has worked out the plan - what each person's job is.
"It's not just exciting going back to Manchester United, it's exciting working with Erik again. And after a week with Mitchell, a very, very good coach, and hopefully together, along with the staff and John Murtough also has been a fantastic help in the process, we can begin middle of June when players come back.
"It's a new beginning. I know Erik is looking forward to it and I certainly am. It was great to catch up with him over the last seven days and bond again and hopefully make a great team off the field that will, ultimately, produce one on the field."
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