Former Man Utd Assistant Coach: Replicating Last Season’s Mediocrity Could See Ten Hag Replaced by Van Nistelrooy Anytime

Former Manchester United assistant coach René Meulensteen, in an interview, stated that if Erik ten Hag leads Manchester United to another season of mediocrity like the last one, then it would be possible for Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has just joined ten Hag’s coaching staff this season, to take over his position anytime.

Ratcliffe has become a shareholder of Manchester United and effectively controls the club’s operations and personnel decisions. The fact that ten Hag is still coaching Manchester United this season is actually due to Ratcliffe’s approval.

In the new season, several “new faces,” including Van Nistelrooy, have joined the club, while McCarthy and McClaren have left the team. Van Nistelrooy becoming part of the coaching staff is essentially a move to have him ready to replace ten Hag at any moment. Van Nistelrooy had a five-year playing career at Manchester United, and after retiring, he took charge of PSV Eindhoven, winning both the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Super Cup.

In Meulensteen’s view, while ten Hag may not be worried about being replaced by Van Nistelrooy, the situation could change if the team’s performance is poor, “I don’t think ten Hag worries about Van Nistelrooy replacing him; ten Hag is currently focused on his job at hand. But no one knows what the future holds. If Manchester United start the season poorly, Ratcliffe will consider Van Nistelrooy, who is currently the most suitable person to replace ten Hag.”

Meulensteen firmly believes that if Van Nistelrooy becomes the manager of Manchester United, he will achieve success, “Van Nistelrooy’s advantage lies in his understanding of the club. What hasn’t changed at Manchester United are ambition, expectations, and responsibility. Although I haven’t worked with Van Nistelrooy as a coach, I did work with him as a player, and I know he is an excellent individual.”