Steve McClaren could leave Manchester United following demotion in coaching status

With INEOS now onboard, there have been plenty of behind-the-scene changes at Manchester United including a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.

After a dismal eighth-place league finish, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future but after a thorough end-of-season review, the new co-owners decided to stick with the former Ajax coach.

However, his right-hand man Mitchell van der Gaag was shown the door and in came Rene Hake, formerly of Go Ahead Eagles, and former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as assistant coaches.

Long-term goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis was also shown the door and Jelle ten Rouwelaar of Burnley was appointed as the new goalkeeping coach.

Coaching changes

Steve McClaren, who had rejoined the club as assistant manager when Ten Hag came on board, was saved from a potential cull owing to his previous connections with INEOS figureheads.

However, he was demoted to a technical coach and is not part of the group currently in the US for the pre-season tour as he suffered a foot injury.

Instead, he is at Carrington, training with players who arrived late from pre-season. McClaren, who had previously worked with Sir Alex Ferguson during United’s Treble-winning season, is far from pleased with his current situation.

Football Insider have claimed that the former England manager could potentially quit his role after this demotion instead of waiting to be sacked when things go wrong.

“Steve McClaren could quit Man United after being pushed down the coaching pecking order at the club, sources have told Football Insider.

“The arrival of a new coaching team including ex-Man United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has led to a backroom shake-up and McClaren, 63, is one of the fall guys.

“McClaren was close to Erik ten Hag last season and was a key tactical sounding board but his position is now under threat and sources say he is ready to quit before he is sacked.

McClaren could quit

“The ex-England manager had acted as assistant manager since re-joining the club in 2022 but has now been relegated to the title of a technical coach.”

Darren Fletcher has been spotted helping with coaching drills in the US and McClaren’s reducing importance could see another change in the coaching staff soon. Whether this comes to pass remains to be seen.

McClaren knows the club inside out but currently Ten Hag has Nistelrooy and Fletcher, both of whom played for the Red Devils and they know their way around the club.

INEOS have also changed the structure behind the manager with Dan Ashworth joining as the sporting director, Jason Wilcox came onboard as technical director while ex-Manchester City man Omar Berrada joined as the new CEO.

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