Former PSV Eindhoven manager Fred Rutten has revealed he has turned down the chance to be part of Erik ten Hag’s staff at Manchester United.
Rutten, 59, instead will join up with former Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy at his former club, PSV, as one of the iconic Dutch striker’s assistants.
Rutten claims to have been offered the chance to be one of Ten Hag’s assistants at Old Trafford.
Fred Rutten Rejects Offer to Assist Erik ten Hag at Manchester United
Manchester United Staff Situation
With Erik ten Hag confirmed as the next Manchester United manager, there is plenty of intrigue as to who might join him pitchside. Rumours have seen several names linked, including his current Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and former United assistant Steve McClaren.
It’s pretty clear Manchester United will make more than one addition to the staff with the suggestion being that two assistants will come in to start with.
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club in November 2021, his assistants Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, who has since taken the head coach role at Ipswich Town, left shortly after.
Ralf Rangnick has added some staff in temporarily for his spell as interim manager, including Chris Armas and Ewan Sharp.
Fred Rutten to Stay in the Netherlands
Speaking to Dutch TV, Fred Rutten said, as quoted by The Guardian: “Erik ten Hag has asked me to be his assistant at Manchester United, I said no.
“Everyone makes his own choices in life. I have a family, I have grandchildren that I want to see. This type of project, I felt uncomfortable with it.
“At Manchester United, you get on a train and you can’t get off it. I want to feel comfortable in something you step into. That is the case with PSV. It’s nice when you have grandchildren, who you see every now and then and who can play ball with.”
Rutten is set to join PSV as an assistant when Ruud van Nistelrooy takes over the KNVB cup holders this summer.
The 59-year-old spent his entire playing career at Twente and has managed the likes of Twente, Schalke, PSV and Feyenoord.
Rutten has made it clear he plans to stay in the Netherlands, close to his family.
The Guardian’s report also states that Manchester United are expected to appoint Mitchell van der Gaag to Ten Hag’s staff.
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