Former Manchester United manager René Hake has admitted he had to convince several of the players of his credentials last summer as they had no idea who he was.
1908 Feyenoord cover comments from Hake today as he makes his return to football with Feyenoord under new manager Robin van Persie.
The 53-year-old is Van Persie’s new assistant manager, returning to the Netherlands after leaving Manchester United in November.
He had been brought in to Old Trafford as part of Erik ten Hag’s staff in the summer as the Dutchman reshaped the background staff around him after signing a new deal.
His appointment did not prove to be the magic formula that Ten Hag was looking for and he was eventually sacked with his team, including Hake and the like of Ruud van Nistelrooy, in November following a miserable start to the season.
Hake is now back in work in the Netherlands with Van Persie at Feyenoord, continuing as an assistant manager despite being a manager at Twente, Cambuur, FC Utrecht and Go-Ahead Eagles.
And he admits that takes some getting accustomed to, while revealing he had to work to convince Manchester United’s players.
“It was a switch, as a head coach you are used to being a manager,” he said.
“Now I was the executive, I had to prepare the training sessions, count the figures and make sure that everything is in order. That is a world of difference compared to being a head coach.
“I don’t think they knew me when I started there. You look for the best way to get in touch with those guys. Eriksen once said that he appreciated the different exercises he was given. That’s nice to hear.”
