Wayne Rooney has reportedly turned down the chance to return to Manchester United on Erik Ten Hag's coaching staff.
The Dutchman has put pen to paper on a three-year deal, with an option of a fourth, to become the new Red Devils boss at the end of the season. United confirmed the 52-year-old's appointment on Thursday with Mitchell Van der Gaag, Ten Hag's long-term Ajax assistant, poised to join him at Old Trafford as his no.2.
Ten Hag is also set to appoint Steve McClaren to form part of the new-look coaching setup at the club. Ten Hag was assistant to McClaren when the former England boss was appointed at Dutch club FC Twente in 2008 before he moved on to PSV Eindhoven and the two have maintained a close relationship since.
It's also claimed that Rooney was a target for United as he was informally proposed as a possibility to join Ten Hag's coaching staff, but the Derby County boss made it clear he would only leave the Rams for a managerial position, according to The Athletic.
Ten Hag insists he is "honoured" to be named United's new boss, saying: "It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead.
"I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve. It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United."
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United's football director John Murtough was over the moon to get the deal for Ten Hag across the finish line.
He added: "During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.
"In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that."
