Mitchell van der Gaag hopes to find a new club after his departure from Manchester United. The former assistant of Erik ten Hag is waiting for the right offer.
Mitchell van der Gaag, now 53, spent two seasons working as Erik ten Hag's trusted assistant at Manchester United, a partnership that began at Ajax and continued into their shared challenge of bringing success back to Old Trafford.
During their time together at Ajax, the duo achieved significant domestic success, which prompted Manchester United to recruit Ten Hag as head coach, bringing Van der Gaag along as part of his backroom staff to replicate their success on a grander stage.
Van der Gaag left Manchester United last summer, amid what many considered to be an increasingly challenging environment at the club. A few months later, Erik ten Hag himself was dismissed, ending a tenure that, despite some moments of promise, ultimately failed to meet the lofty expectations placed upon the Dutch manager and his coaching staff. Speaking to The Times about his experience in England, Van der Gaag provided a nuanced perspective on the difficulties faced.
“If the answer was easy, it wouldn’t have happened,” Van der Gaag admitted. “But when I look at the Netherlands, Ajax could sometimes play at seventy percent and still win. It’s the same in Spain, where top teams have enough quality to navigate matches without being at their absolute best. But in the Premier League, you have to be at your best every single time. There is no room for complacency.”
He highlighted the relentless nature of the English top flight, noting that every opponent is capable of causing an upset if the standards drop even slightly. Van der Gaag’s comments reflect a deeper understanding of how the Premier League’s intensity differs from other leagues. He acknowledged that even the best-prepared teams are vulnerable if they cannot sustain their highest level of performance throughout an entire campaign.
During their time at Manchester United, Ten Hag and Van der Gaag made several high-profile signings, many of whom had connections to the Eredivisie. Under Ten Hag’s guidance, the club brought in names like Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martínez, Antony, Sofyan Amrabat, Wout Weghorst, and Mason Mount. Martínez and Antony were transferred directly from Ajax, with Ten Hag hoping their familiarity with his playing style would accelerate their adaptation to English football.
However, not all of the signings found immediate success. Some struggled to adapt to the physicality and pace of the Premier League, while others battled injuries and inconsistent form. This prompted critics to question whether Manchester United had placed too much emphasis on recruiting players with Eredivisie backgrounds. Van der Gaag, however, firmly rejected that notion.
“It’s disrespectful towards the Dutch league; sometimes a transfer to England just doesn’t work out,” Van der Gaag remarked. “People often overlook the fact that these players are coming from a very different environment. The Premier League is relentless. It’s not just about talent; it’s about mentality, adaptation, and a constant ability to perform under pressure.”
He elaborated further, defending the caliber of players who had been brought in. “Lisandro Martínez, for example, was exceptional at Ajax and has shown his quality in England. Antony is young, still developing, and has a huge amount of talent. It’s unfair to dismiss players because of their origins or their connections to a particular league. What matters is their ability to adapt, learn, and grow in a new environment.”
Van der Gaag’s loyalty to the Dutch league and his defense of players transitioning from the Eredivisie to the Premier League is evident. While some have been quick to label the influx of Eredivisie talent as a failed experiment, Van der Gaag believes it is premature to draw such conclusions. In his view, development and success take time, and not every transition will be seamless.
Now without a club, Van der Gaag admits he feels the itch to return to coaching. Despite having received offers from two Eredivisie clubs, he has so far declined, instead waiting for what he describes as the right opportunity. “I am open to everything. There are many coaches out there, but hopefully, a club thinks I fit into their project, and I feel the same way,” he said.
His words suggest that he is looking for more than just a job; he is searching for a project that aligns with his footballing philosophy and personal ambitions. Van der Gaag is known for his tactical awareness, his meticulous approach to preparation, and his ability to build strong relationships with players. These qualities, he hopes, will attract the attention of clubs with long-term visions rather than quick fixes.
Reflecting on his time at Manchester United, Van der Gaag also addressed the complexities of working at such a massive club. “It’s a unique environment. The pressure is constant, and the expectations are incredibly high. But that’s why you go there to test yourself at the highest level. You learn a lot about yourself, about football, and about what it takes to succeed,” he explained.
Although his tenure at Manchester United ended in disappointment, Van der Gaag remains philosophical about the experience. He recognizes that football is a results-driven business and that sometimes even the best-laid plans do not yield the desired outcomes. “You have to be honest with yourself and recognize where things went wrong. But you also have to move forward, keep learning, and look for new challenges,” he said.
Now, as he considers his next step, Van der Gaag is determined to find a club where he can implement his ideas and work towards building something lasting. His experience at Manchester United, while ultimately unsuccessful, has provided him with valuable lessons that he is eager to apply in his next role.
For now, he remains patient, confident that the right opportunity will present itself. As the football world continues to evolve, Van der Gaag is preparing himself to seize the next challenge, wherever that may be.
