Erik ten Hag’s former Manchester United assistant lands new job, he will now battle against Ineos-owned club

Erik ten Hag has just returned to management for the first time since leaving Manchester United, and so has his assistant.

Ruben Amorim will now prepare for his first full season as Manchester United boss.

Amorim lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur and must now build for a better campaign next season.

Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag will also prepare for next season, having returned to football for the first time since leaving United in October.

Bayer Leverkusen have appointed Ten Hag as their new manager following Xabi Alonso’s move to Real Madrid.

As if that isn’t enough, Ten Hag’s former United assistant Mitchell van der Gaag is also returning to the dugout.

Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images

Mitchell van der Gaag finds new job after Manchester United exit

Van der Gaag joined United alongside Ten Hag in 2022, having previously worked together at Ajax.

After two years together at United, Van der Gaag departed Old Trafford last summer as changes were made around Ten Hag.

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Van der Gaag spent the 2024-25 season out of work but has now been appointed as the new manager of Swiss side FC Zurich.

The Dutchman has been given a two-year deal and replaces Ricardo Moniz in the dugout.

Van der Gaag has managed a number of clubs in the past, including Maritimo, Belenenses, FC Eindhoven and NAC Breda.

Now heading off to Switzerland, Van der Gaag will be looking to make a big impact in his first job since leaving United.

“Mitchell was our absolute preferred candidate! We are therefore very happy that we were able to hire such an experienced and competent head coach who can continue on our chosen path,” said FCZ president Ancillo Canepa.

Mitchell van der Gaag set to battle Ineos-owned club

FC Zurich won the Swiss title in 2022, but have only been Switzerland’s top club four times since 1981.

Van der Gaag is being brought in to bring back the successful times, and the move means he will battle against an Ineos club.

Ineos own Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, who finished on 53 points after the Swiss league split in two.

That points tally exactly matched FC Zurich’s, with the two sides likely to be in each other’s orbit once more next season.

Enzo Kana-Biyik is set to join Lausanne-Sport on loan from United this summer and they will hope to finish ahead of Van der Gaag’s side once again.

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