Rene Hake breaks silence on imminent Man United arrival and private Erik ten Hag talks

Incoming Manchester United coach Rene Hake has described his new role as 'a great opportunity' and has thanked Erik ten Hag for the role he has played in the switch.

The Go Ahead Eagles head coach previously worked with Ten Hag in the youth system at FC Twente and the pair remain close friends. The United boss had his one-year contract extension triggered earlier on Thursday, having been kept on by Ineos following a lengthy review last month.

Hake has remained coy on what precise role he will take up beside Ten Hag, but it marks the next stage in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s revamp process, with Ruud van Nistelrooy also considering a dugout role and Dan Ashworth arriving as sporting director this week.

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The 52-year-old has unpacked his delight at the chance to work at Old Trafford, in a move that is yet to be officially confirmed by the club. “The feeling I have is difficult to describe, but this is of course a great opportunity for me,” Hake told Voetbal International.

“Working in the biggest league in the world, at one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is also a wonderful reward for me. The fact that I can go to the top of the world from Go Ahead Eagles is unique.

“Of course I am grateful to Erik for this opportunity, but it is not about us knowing each other well. We just have to do good work. Erik has a role in mind for me, we discussed that. As in any staff, all tasks are divided among the assistants.”

Hake guided Go Ahead Eagles to ninth in the Eredivisie last season, their best finish in more than 15 years. Club chief Paul Bosvelt had this week demanded “some clarity” over the situation regarding his manager amid the links.

Speaking last year, Ten Hag unpacked his friendship with Hake, stating: "After our common period at Twente, we have always kept in touch. We meet up and call each other.

“You talk about private matters, how things are going at home and with the children. But usually it is about football. (At Twente) he was incredibly driven, ambitious, but also extremely convinced of himself. A trainer who worked very methodically."