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NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 17:03
For two years he was Erik ten Hag‘s assistant at Manchester United, and he is now enjoying the Portuguese sun in short sleeves. It’s a good time at the end of October in the southern European country where Mitchell van der Gaag has lived intermittently since 2001.
“I stopped looking at how warm it is in the Netherlands, but here it is almost always good,” laughs Van der Gaag. After a hectic period in England, he is enjoying the peace and quiet while he waits for a great opportunity to work as a head coach again somewhere.
In the meantime, he is counting his blessings, because Van der Gaag has been living with a pacemaker for some time due to a heart rhythm disorder. “I’m now trying to put everything into perspective. That was different eleven years ago.”
Two great years
Last summer, Van der Gaag left Manchester United, where he was assistant coach of Ten Hag for two seasons. “Those were two great years, because you really work at the top. And I’m not just talking about United, but also the entire competition.”
“Normally you see the Premier League on television, now I was in the middle of it. If you look at the tactical variation, to use a coaching term: it is top in the Premier League. It was enjoyable.”
When Van der Gaag said goodbye in England, it was written that he had the ambition to stand on his own two feet again. The former coach of Excelsior and NAC Breda, among others, now endorses this himself.
ANPVan der Gaag and Ten Hag on the sidelines at Manchester United
“What happened? Well, not that much. My ambition is to become a head coach again, after first being an assistant at Ajax and then at Manchester United. It’s great to be an assistant, but at a certain point you also have to your ambitions again.”
It goes without saying that Van der Gaag is in perfect health on the Portuguese coast and talks about his dreams for the future. In 2013, he suffered a heart attack while coaching Portuguese club Belenenses. The trainer had been living with a pacemaker for some time, because he was diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder at an earlier stage.
“I am still reminded of it quite often in Portugal, because it happened here. I am now back in Portugal after a longer absence, so people often ask how I am. That is also good, it places the things in perspective.”
Respect for Ten Hag
The fact that Van der Gaag has left England does not mean that he no longer follows Manchester United. He still views his former employer with great interest, and Ten Hag in particular.
“You see with INEOS (the new club owners, ed.) that they are in line with Ten Hag and dare to look ahead. But in that whole process you do need results. In that respect, it is nice that you enjoyed this last weekend Brentford wins.”
The question is whether Ten Hag will get the club back on track. “If it was an easy job, everyone could be there. Since the departure of Alex Ferguson, there have been ups and downs. The great thing about Erik is: he always keeps looking ahead and moving forward. You can’t control the rest.”
For the time being, Van der Gaag is watching it from the proverbial armchair. He waits patiently until a great club where he can work as head coach comes along.
Mitchell van der Gaag: From Manchester’s Pressure Cooker to Portugal’s Sun
Well hello there, football fans! Let’s take a gander into the latest escapades of one of football’s not-so-quiet assistants, Mitchell van der Gaag. Yes, the man has traded the dreary Manchester drizzle for the sunny Portuguese coastline—because let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to swap rainy match days for sunbathing in short sleeves?
Chilling in the Sunshine
It’s the end of October, and while the Dutch are bundling up like it’s winter in Siberia, Van der Gaag is living his best life in Portugal. Armed with a pacemaker and a positive attitude, he chuckles, “I stopped looking at how warm it is in the Netherlands, but here it is almost always good.” You can almost hear the collective sigh of envy from Manchester as the chap sips on something refreshing.
After two turbulent years assisting Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, our man is kicking back and pondering his next big break. It’s a bit like watching a soap opera, isn’t it? The dramatic highs and lows of football coaching, complete with heart problems that would make a daytime drama writer blush.
Two Years at the Top
Let’s not forget Van der Gaag’s “two great years” at United—working literally at the pinnacle of football. “I was no longer just watching the Premier League on television; I was right in the thick of it,” he proudly declared. And good for him! He went from admiring the players on his screen to instructing them—much like a well-meaning but mildly awkward substitute teacher trying to connect with students.
Now, he’s ready to spread those coaching wings again, but who could blame him? After all, being an assistant coach can feel a bit like being the backup dancer at a concert—lots of fun, but you’re never the star of the show.
Getting Back to Business
And what does Van der Gaag want? To be a head coach again, of course! It’s like he’s telling us, “Look, it’s great being in the shadows, but I want my moment in the limelight!” And wouldn’t we all? After being in the spotlight with Ten Hag, it’s hard to go back to sitting on the bench and passing out water bottles.
Perhaps the most heartwarming part of this tale is Van der Gaag’s resilience. Midway through his career, he faced a serious health scare that could have knocked most of us down—but no, this guy’s looking at life with a positive perspective. “What happened? Well, not that much,” he says, nonchalantly downplaying a heart attack! The guy’s a trooper. Or maybe he just really likes the Mediterranean food.
Support for Ten Hag
Now, don’t think he’s entirely off the football radar. Van der Gaag is still glued to his former club, Manchester United, with a particular interest in Ten Hag’s progress. He believes in the new club owners at INEOS getting it right, but as he quips, “In that whole process, you do need results…” Ah, the classic catch-22 of football management. If only it were as easy as a game of football manager on your phone!
And as Van der Gaag basks in the sun, he’s keenly aware of the challenges Ten Hag faces. “If it were an easy job, everyone could be there,” he wisely points out. Unfortunately, the football world is not quite as simple as that. Watching Ten Hag strive for glory is akin to witnessing a high-stakes heist movie—lots of tension and potential for disaster.
Waiting in Anticipation
So, here we are. Van der Gaag is waiting from his armchair—possibly with a piña colada in hand—for that ‘great club’ to call him. What will it be? The smell of grass under his feet, the thrill of strategy, or perhaps just an invitation to join a pre-match barbecue? Whatever the case, let’s just hope he shuns any more heart attacks!
In conclusion, Mitchell van der Gaag’s journey reminds us all to count our blessings, strive for our ambitions, and perhaps invest in a pacemaker—or at least a cocktail while basking in the sun. Here’s hoping his next chapter in the coaching saga is just as exciting as Manchester United’s on-field drama. After all, the world of football is just a wait away!