Erik ten Hag’s former assistant at Manchester United, Mitchell van der Gaag, has been relieved of his duties by FC Zurich.
Van der Gaag at United
Van der Gaag followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Manchester United in May 2022, joining his backroom staff at Old Trafford.
The two men enjoyed a lot of success together at Ajax. They guided the side to three Eredivisie titles. At United, he was one of Ten Hag’s most trusted allies.
Supported by Van der Gaag, Ten Hag’s first season in charge saw United lift the Carabao Cup and finish among the Premier League’s top three.
The subsequent campaign was a tumultuous one in the league but the Red Devils still earned a trophy, winning the FA Cup. United beat cross-town rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley.
Van der Gaag left United in the summer of 2024 as part of INEOS’ reshuffle of the coaching staff. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the leadership group brought in Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake to offset the exits of individuals like Van der Gaag.
After a brief spell away from football, Van der Gaag was appointed boss of FC Zurich this summer.
However, things have not gone according to plan and earlier on Thursday, the Swiss outfit confirmed his dismissal.
Van der Gaag sacked
FC Zurich president, Ancillo Canepa, issued a statement which read, “FCZ’s management has concluded that the development of the first team has stagnated and has therefore decided to make some personnel adjustments.”
“Assistant coach Dennis Hediger will take over the first team on an interim basis.”
“We regret this decision, thank Mitchell van der Gaag for his commitment to FCZ and wish him luck and success in the future.”
The 54-year-old has left FC Zurich languishing in eighth place in the Swiss Super League table.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
