Erik ten Hag’s Former Assistant Reveals Biggest Disappointment From Manchester United Tenure

Mitchell van der Gaag reflects on his two years at Manchester United and what ultimately left him disheartened

For most coaches, even the briefest spell at Manchester United is a career-defining chapter. The spotlight, the pressure, the expectations—everything is amplified at Old Trafford. So when Mitchell van der Gaag, Erik ten Hag’s long-time assistant, took up the challenge in 2022 alongside his compatriot, he knew what lay ahead wouldn’t be easy.

Two years later, and now at the helm of FC Zurich, Van der Gaag is looking back. His reflections are filled with gratitude, professional growth, and yes—disappointment. Because as much as silverware glistened in their cabinet, one area remained sorely unfulfilled: Europe.

A Promising Start at Old Trafford

Van der Gaag, speaking to GiveMeSport in a recent interview, struck a tone of warmth and realism. “I look back on my time at Manchester United positively,” he said. “I think it was two wonderful years. They were very positive and I learned a lot.”

And it’s hard to argue with him. In their debut season (2022-23), Erik Ten Hag and Van der Gaag achieved what few post-Ferguson managers had: stability and success. United finished third in the Premier League, clinched the Carabao Cup with a disciplined win at Wembley, and reached the FA Cup final. Fans began to believe again. The club, finally, felt like it was moving forward.

For Van der Gaag, the experience was deeply enriching, especially as someone stepping into the uniquely demanding world of English football. “The first year was very positive because we finished in third place, won the Carabao Cup and went to the FA Cup final,” he said. “It was a season where a lot of pieces fell into place.”

The One Regret: European Underperformance

FBL-ENG-PR-NOTTINGHAM FOREST-MAN UTD Erik ten Hag

Despite the domestic achievements, one thing gnawed at the coaching staff—Europe. The Europa League campaign in 2022-23 started with promise but fizzled out in disappointing fashion. United were tipped as one of the favorites but crashed out earlier than expected, raising eyebrows about the team’s mentality and tactical preparedness on the continental stage.

“I think the only disappointment, in my opinion, was that we could have been better in the Europa League,” Van der Gaag admitted. “That’s the one area where we didn’t quite live up to our expectations.”

This wasn’t just about results—it was symbolic. For a club with United’s pedigree, European success isn’t just desired; it’s demanded. And while the domestic trophies were celebrated, their European exit left a bitter aftertaste.

The Chaotic Second Season

If the first year offered promise, the 2023-24 campaign brought turbulence. Injuries, inconsistent form, and tactical confusion marred what many thought would be a step forward.

“That was a very strange season,” Van der Gaag reflected. “We were not good enough in the Premier League or Champions League. There were very strange results as well because there were games we were winning comfortably and then drawing or losing.”

Indeed, the inconsistency became a recurring theme. A shocking Champions League group-stage exit and a slip to eighth in the Premier League painted a bleak picture. There were moments—like a 3-0 win over Liverpool or a derby day comeback—that reminded fans of the potential, but they were fleeting.

And yet, the season ended on a high. Against all odds, United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, delivering another trophy and momentarily silencing critics. “In the end, we won the FA Cup. It puts everything in a positive way, so that was important,” Van der Gaag said.

Lessons from the Premier League

Erik ten Hag’s former assistant reveals what ‘disappointed’ him about his two years at Man United

Despite the rollercoaster ride, Van der Gaag holds no bitterness. His tone isn’t one of regret, but of reflection and growth. “They were two years when I learned a lot, especially about the way the Premier League functions, the way football is played and the tactical variations. It was something that I really enjoyed.”

The Premier League, as he suggests, is a beast unlike any other. The pace, the media scrutiny, the demands from fans—it shapes managers quickly or chews them up entirely. For Van der Gaag, the exposure to high-pressure football in England will no doubt serve him well in his new role in Switzerland.

A Fork in the Road

Van der Gaag stepped away from Manchester United in the summer of 2024, as part of a wider coaching overhaul. It was a decision that now looks rather timely. A few months later, Erik Ten Hag himself was dismissed following another disappointing season. His replacement, Ruben Amorim, couldn’t stop the bleeding either, with United slumping to an astonishing 15th-place finish in 2024-25.

In hindsight, Van der Gaag’s exit came at the right moment. While his loyalty to Erik Ten Hag never wavered, he perhaps sensed the writing on the wall. Now managing FC Zurich, the Dutch coach is carving out a path of his own—away from the chaos of the Premier League, but armed with all its lessons.

A Legacy in Perspective

It’s easy to label Erik Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United as a failure, especially given how it ended. But that would be a simplification. Under his leadership, and with Van der Gaag beside him, United won two trophies—more than any other manager since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, barring José Mourinho.

They brought discipline back to the squad, blooded young talent like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, and restored some pride at key moments. But they also faltered on the biggest stages—Europe especially—and never quite built a consistent identity.

Van der Gaag doesn’t shy away from that truth. But he sees value in the journey. “It was something that I really enjoyed,” he reiterated. And it’s clear he walks away from Old Trafford not with bitterness, but with a deep sense of experience and perspective.

What’s Next?

Erik ten Hag

As the 2025-26 campaign looms, Van der Gaag is preparing for his first full season at FC Zurich, while Erik ten Hag returns to club football with Bayer Leverkusen. Back in Manchester, Ruben Amorim is under intense scrutiny to steady the ship and revive a broken team.

It’s a fascinating crossroads for all three. Their futures will unfold far from each other, but the lessons from those two years at Manchester United will linger.

Because in football, just like in life, sometimes your biggest disappointment is also your greatest teacher.