Jamie Ireland
Louis van Gaal hasn’t named the final member of his backroom staff for when he takes over at Old Trafford, but a former United coach has ruled himself out.
Sky Sports report that former Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has ruled out a return to Manchester United and working under fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal.
Meulensteen worked under Sir Alex Ferguson as a first-team coach, replacing Mike Phelan and went on to help United win 10 trophies in that time.
It seems the Dutchman is struggling to make the transition from coach to manager with two short and unsuccessful spells with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala and Fulham last season.
Now without a club, it is unclear whether he will look to continue his development as manager or revert back to the title of ‘first-team coach’.
One thing is for sure, he won’t be at Old Trafford next season in any greater capacity than spectator. Even though he ruled himself out I never saw him as a real option for van Gaal’s first-team coach.
For van Gaal, he will want someone he knows, trusts and can help him install his style of play and tactics on his new look team.
Manchester United cannot look to their past for the answers, there need to be big changes this summer and bring back Meulesteen would be too familiar for the squad.
As to who van Gaal will appoint, I have narrowed it down to two. I think it will be either Danny Blind or Patrick Kluivert, both of whom work with the Netherlands team now.
Complete rubbish. Rene asked to come back and LvG said no.