Rene Hake's path to Manchester United

Friday 12 July 2024 09:56

Rene Hake's coaching work in the Netherlands has certainly not gone unnoticed.

The 52-year-old guided Go Ahead Eagles to ninth spot in the Eredivisie last term, their best placing since the 1970s, and secured a play-off spot for the UEFA Conference League.

Erik ten Hag managed the club in 2012/13 and ex-Reds keeper Raimond van der Gouw is a former player.

After initially impressing in youth roles at Emmen and Twente, he made the step up to head coach at Emmen at 2010.

Statement: United refreshes coaching staff

 Article

Erik ten Hag and sporting director Dan Ashworth discuss our changes for the 2024/25 season.

Clearly a strategic thinker, a spell as assistant coach at Zwolle preceded a return to Utrecht in 2015, when Ten Hag was in charge.

He then took over the reins at Cambuur in the second-tier Eerste Divisie, in 2018/19, only to again head back to Jong Utrecht (the reserves). 

When John van der Brom left, Hake moved up to take his place, achieving a very respectable seventh position in the top flight after securing promotion.

A move to Go Ahead Eagles came about in 2022, where he has built a solid body of work, imposing his tactical principles and making clear progress.

Described as a self-made coach, Hake has spoken about his gratitude to Twente in helping him to develop his talents, even if he did admit he felt financial restrictions hampered his progress.

It is well documented that he shares a similar vision and tactical ideals to Reds boss Ten Hag, usually implementing a 4-2-3-1 formation with his teams.

Erik has said in the past: "We both love the game and perhaps our working method is partly the same. We are both not averse to hard work."

Recommended: