Dutchman admits he can’t refuse ‘great opportunity’ at Manchester United – Old Trafford move a ‘wonderful reward’

Go Ahead Eagles coach René Hake has continued to share his delight at his impending move to Manchester United to join Erik the Hag’s coaching team.

Soccer News cover comments from Hake today after he held an interview with Voetbal International about his impending move to Manchester United.

The Dutch coach has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for weeks, with Ten Hag targeting him as a replacement for Mitchell van der Gaag.

The Manchester United coach is undertaking something of an overhaul of his backroom team this summer, which is part of the larger overhaul taking place at the club under INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Van der Gaag has already departed, and talks are underway with Go Ahead Eagles to bring in Hake , with him given something of a hero’s farewell by the club last week.

He’s been regularly speaking about the potential move, making it clear that he is absolutely delighted to be handed such an opportunity at this point in his career.

His career has so far been based in the Netherlands, with spells at Emmen, FC Twente, PEC Zwolle, SC Cambuur, FC Utrecht and then Go-Ahead Eagles.

Manchester United is a considerable step up for the 52-year-old, then, and he’s more than looking forward to it.

“The feeling I have is difficult to describe, but this is of course a great opportunity for me,” he said.

“Working in the biggest league in the world, at one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is also a wonderful reward for me. The fact that I can go to the top of the world from Go Ahead Eagles is unique.

“Of course I am grateful to Erik for this opportunity, but it is not about us knowing each other well. We just have to do good work. Erik has a role in mind for me, we discussed that. As in any staff, all tasks are divided among the assistants.”