have been forced to explore alternative options to be part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff due to fears Robin van Persie will not get a work permit, according to reports.
The boss is the clear frontrunner to take over at Old Trafford this summer after impressing in interviews with the club’s hierarchy and the appointment could even be made official by the end of this month.
Ten Hag is already thinking about the make-up of his backroom staff and, in addition to wanting two of his Ajax coaches, is also keen to add someone with links to United.
Compatriot Van Persie – who was part of United’s last title-winning side, spending three years in Manchester – quickly emerged as the most logical option to join Ten Hag’s coaching team.
The former Arsenal striker has been working at Feyenoord as both a finishing coach for the first team and co-head coach of the club’s Under-16 team.
However, according to , Van Persie may lack the requisite experience and coaching badges to secure a UK work permit.
Both United and Ten Hag were keen to recruit the 38-year-old, but he will require a Governing Body Exemption (GBE) to work in the UK as a result of post-Brexit rules.
Van Persie’s lack of top-level coaching experience and qualifications are expected to count against him in the application process, and United already experienced issues and delays with getting a GBE for both Ralf Rangnick and coach Chris Armas – who have far more experience than the Dutchman.
United still intend to explore the possibility of hiring Van Persie, though the English Football Association may be unable to grant a GBE.
Both the club and Ten Hag remain keen to have a member of the coaching staff with experience of the Premier League and ties to United, with a list of alternative options ready to be explored.
Two of Sir Alex Ferguson’s old coaches – Steve McClaren and Rene Meulensteen – are both being considered; the former was manager at FC Twente when Ten Hag was on the coaching staff.
The Ajax boss is also believed to want in the form of assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and fitness coach Alessandro Schoenmaker.
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