ERIK TEN HAG has suffered a setback in his preparations to take over at Manchester United after his first choice assistant rejected the chance to join him at Old Trafford.
Fred Rutten, who worked with Ten Hag at PSV between 2009 and 2012, was reportedly the front runner to become the Dutchman's right hand man at Man Utd.
But despite discussing the idea with the current Ajax boss, he has opted to link up with Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV instead.
Speaking on ESPN Netherlands, he said: "I did talk to him [Ten Hag] about it and talked about certain ideas."
He then went on to add: "I have a family, I have grandchildren. I want to see them every now and then.
“At Manchester United you get on a train and you can’t get off it. I want to feel comfortable in something you step into. That is the case with PSV.
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“It’s nice when you have grandchildren, who you see every now and then and who can play ball with.”
Rutten has managed several high-profile teams including Schalke, PSV, Feyenoord and Anderlecht.
But he will now assume the position as assistant at PSV behind legendary Man Utd striker Van Nistelrooy.
Ten Hag was announced as Man Utd's new manager last month after lengthy speculation over who would succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the next permanent manager.
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The Ajax boss was always one of the favourites to take over at Old Trafford along with PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino.
But now he has been appointed, there has been a lot of talk as to who will assist him in the coaching of the team.
And former England manager Steve McLaren was one man touted for the role.
Ten Hag was McLaren's assistant during his time at FC Twente.
He could now choose to revisit the idea after Rutten's decision to choose PSV.
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