{"id":297360,"date":"2023-11-24T13:24:39","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T13:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=297360"},"modified":"2023-11-24T13:24:39","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T13:24:39","slug":"mitchell-van-der-gaag-almost-died-in-dugout-but-will-manage-man-utd-vs-everton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/soccer\/mitchell-van-der-gaag-almost-died-in-dugout-but-will-manage-man-utd-vs-everton\/","title":{"rendered":"Mitchell van der Gaag ‘almost died in dugout’ but will manage Man Utd vs Everton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everton will create hostile atmosphere ahead of Man Utd clash | Football Digest<\/h3>\n

A trip to Goodison Park is a daunting proposition under normal circumstances. However, Manchester United must battle an Everton side carrying a siege mentality on Sunday after being dealt a 10-point deduction in the Premier League. And their task has been made more complex by a glaring absence in the dugout.<\/p>\n

Erik ten Hag will serve a one-match suspension on Merseyside, having received three yellow cards against Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and last time out against Luton Town.<\/p>\n

Eric Ramsay, Steve McClaren and Benni McCarthy will remain present alongside Mitchell van der Gaag, who is set to be the primary voice in the dugout.<\/p>\n

Fellow Dutchman Van der Gaag arrived at United alongside Ten Hag from Ajax last summer and has been a prominent figure since.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils manager often turns to his assistant to consult before making substitutions, and he also doesn’t shy away from giving players instructions during breaks in play.<\/p>\n

Van der Gaag’s coaching history extends far beyond his partnership with Ten Hag, though, stretching back to 2008.<\/p>\n

The 52-year-old had coaching spells at Maritimo, Belenenses, Ermis and NAC and managed at FC Eindhoven and Excelsior Rotterdam before joining Ajax.<\/p>\n

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READ MORE <\/strong> Man Utd flops Antony and Sancho scorched as Ryan Giggs comment speaks volumes[EXCLUSIVE] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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He has developed his tactical and technical know-how over 15 years and is fluent in six languages – Dutch, English, Portuguese, German, French and Spanish.<\/p>\n

Van der Gaag reportedly takes control of United’s training sessions, while Ten Hag chimes in when he deems fit to drill down a specific instruction.<\/p>\n

He has a reputation for overseeing detailed training drills. One of his methods is said to be getting players to make intense sprints before handing them different football scenarios.<\/p>\n

The Dutchman had previously suffered a worrying health scare that some United supporters may not be aware of, though.<\/p>\n

In 2013, after guiding Belenenses to the Portuguese top-flight in his first season, his heart stopped in the home dugout before being brought back to life.<\/p>\n

Matt Jones, an ex-Belenenses goalkeeper who now coaches in the United States, recalled the scary ordeal to The Athletic last year.<\/p>\n