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Blow for ten Hag as Man Utd icon turns down assistant role at the club

Robin van Persie rejected the opportunity to join Erik ten Hag's backroom at Manchester United.
Robin van Persie rejected the opportunity to join Erik ten Hag's backroom at Manchester United. (Photo credit should read JEROEN PUTMANS/AFP via Getty Images)

Robin Van Persie supposedly declines the assistant’s role under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

According to journalist Jan Joost van Gangelen via ESPN, as relayed by Utd Plug (h/t The Express), Robin van Persie is believed to have declined an assistant role under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. This could be a big blow for the Dutch manager who is currently in pole position to take over at Old Trafford.

It is believed that the 52-year-old manager is looking for a fellow Dutchman who has considerable experience in the Premier League. van Persie perfectly fits this bill having an illustrious career with Arsenal as well as a fruitful spell with the Red Devils.

It is understood that the Feyenoord coach will opt against this due to personal reasons, one of them being that his son has recently joined the youth setup of the Eredivisie club. It is thought that Steve McClaren, ex-Man Utd coach Rene Meulensteen and current Olympique Lyonnais boss Peter Bosz are being screened as possible backroom staff members for the former FC Utrecht manager.

Robin Van Persie supposedly declines the assistant's role under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Robin van Persie has declined an assistant managerial position under Erik ten Hag

Robin van Persie to Man Utd, a no go?

The Mancunian club have struggled to create a lasting legacy in the last decade despite hiring some of the top managers across England and Europe. Whilst the philosophy and ideology of the head coach is a pivotal factor, the supporting staff also plays a key role in creating the DNA of a club.

As such we can understand why ten Hag would like someone with a plethora of experience in the PL to assist him. The fact that the former Arsenal hitman is also from the Netherlands could have been a great factor with respect to the communication.

Robin Van Persie supposedly declines the assistant's role under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag is looking for an assistant with considerable experience in the Premier League. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The Ajax Amsterdam manager has earned a lot of success with Ajax Amsterdam, turning young exciting prospects into potential world-beaters. The Dutch club’s run to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019-20 season with their budget could be considered a marvellous feat.

The Dutch manager has developed an attacking brand of football at the Johan Cruijff Arena which is easy on the eyes of fans across the globe. We hope that he can emulate that same style of football at Old Trafford to make us dream once again.

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The Manchester United faithful would be hoping that after years of uncertainty, ten Hag can transform our fortunes in England as well as Europe. Seeing his track record with Ajax there is no reason why he cannot succeed in the managerial position at Old Trafford provided he is backed by the board.

That being said, there have been many renowned coaches who have come and gone ever since Sir Alex Ferguson departed the club. The task of returning it to its former glory under current circumstances seems much simpler said than done.

Written by Glenn Fernandes

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