Rene Hake made 'unwritten rule' with Erik ten Hag long before Man Utd arrival, it lasted just four months

Erik ten Hag remains out of work after leaving Manchester United but his former assistant Rene Hake is now back in the game.

Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag back in October but the club’s fortunes haven’t exactly improved.

United have won just four Premier League games under Ruben Amorim and it’s clear that major changes are needed this summer.

Ten Hag will surely hope to be back in work come the summer and he has received interest.

Borussia Dortmund explored hiring Ten Hag only to end up appointing Niko Kovac, deeming the Dutchman to be too expensive.

Feyenoord were interested in Ten Hag too but have ended up hiring former United hero Robin van Persie instead.

Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Rene Hake’s unwritten rule with Erik ten Hag

Van Persie’s return to Feyenoord has been confirmed and a familiar face is joining him in Rotterdam.

Feyenoord have hired Rene Hake as Van Persie’s assistant, handing him a first role since his own United exit.

Hake left United in November following Amorim’s appointment and now returns to Dutch football alongside Van Persie.

Hake was hand-picked by Ten Hag over the summer, even quitting his post as Go Ahead Eagles boss to join United.

The pair knew each other from their time at FC Twente but their reunion in Manchester was short-lived.

Speaking to RTV Drenthe, Hake has admitted that he and Ten Hag had an ‘unwritten rule’ that they would together again one day having joined forces at FC Twente.

The pair first joined forces at Twente way back in 2005 and that bond saw them eventually reunite at United nearly 20 years on from their first collaboration.

Sadly for Hake and Ten Hag, those plans came crashing down inside four months as Ten Hag was axed by United.

Hake has only great things to say about Ten Hag though, praising him as a coach and as a friend.

“He involved me in everything. Erik was head of training and trainer of the Under 19s. That way you create a bond and that also went in the direction of friendship because we also visited each other privately. The contact has always been there and I have always had a good sounding board in him to discuss things with him,” said Hake.

Rene Hake on Manchester United exit

Hake also commented on his United exit, admitting that his departure has been ‘painful’.

The Dutchman wanted to stay and learn at United for ‘much longer’ but it just wasn’t meant to be as Ten Hag moved on and Amorim came in.

“That’s painful, because it is a unique experience to be able to work at a big club in the Premier League. And of course I would have liked to do that for much longer because then you gain even more experience,” said Hake.

Hake was targeted by West Bromwich Albion as they wanted a new manager, but he is instead heading to Rotterdam alongside Van Persie.

Perhaps Ten Hag and Hake reunite again down the line as their masterplan to work together again lasted less than four months.

For now though, Hake is looking to aid another former United man in Van Persie – and United fans will wish them both the best of luck in the De Kuip dugout.

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