Gary Neville believes Steve McClaren’s vast experience in English football is the trait that will prove most valuable to Erik ten Hag.
McClaren was confirmed as one of Ten Hag’s assistant coaches earlier this week, alongside Mitchell van der Gaag.
The pair have previously worked together while at FC Twente, with McClaren manager and Ten Hag his assistant as the Enschede club won the Eredivisie for the first, and only time, in 2010.
Neville, who knows McClaren well from their days together at Old Trafford and with England, highlighted the 61-year-old’s knowledge of the league as being beneficial.
“I think Ten Hag comes as a successful coach, a coach that’s won, a coach that’s got belief and knows how to build an idea,”
Neville told club media.
“I think he does need someone alongside him on the side of the pitch that can tell him about different stadiums, referees, different things that happen culturally in England around matches.
“Steve McClaren’s got vast experience, not just at Manchester United but obviously in English football.”
Neville compared McClaren’s job to the one a United legend previously performed, albeit on the other side of the city.
“I see Steve’s role, to be fair, as more akin to what Brian Kidd did with Pep Guardiola for many years,”
Gary added.
“I’ve done quite a lot of City games over the years [for television] and just that little voice that says ‘look Pep, you’re at this ground today, this is what it’s like’ and it’s just that type of advice that ultimately the new manager will need.
“[Erik]’s got Darren Fletcher there as well and there are other people at the club who have experience as well but it does seem like a new beginning, there is a lot of turnover of people, people leaving, a new start.
“I think, off the back of the last 12 months, it’s imperative that happens.”