Manchester United have seen Ruud van Nistelrooy take a managerial job after leaving Old Trafford and Rene Hake could follow suit.
Manchester United decided to shake up Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff over the summer with the likes of Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy moving on.
In came two Dutch coaches as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake arrived, snubbing their own managerial prospects in favour of United.
Van Nistelrooy rejected Burnley whilst Hake quit his post as Go Ahead Eagles boss for a move to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag was sacked by United in October though and both Van Nistelrooy and Hake departed United upon Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
Van Nistelrooy has now been appointed by Leicester City and Hake could yet join him in an English managerial role.
Rene Hake in talks with Championship club
Speculation suggested that Hake could join Van Nistelrooy at Leicester but that has not materialised.
Instead, Hake may return to being a manager but only just about 50 miles away from Van Nistelrooy.
Fabrizio Romano reports that West Bromwich Albion are now in talks to appoint Hake as their new boss.
Carlos Corberan recently left the Baggies to become Valencia boss and Hake is being viewed as a replacement.
Romano claims that discussions are ‘ongoing’ with West Brom exploring a deal to appoint Hake.
Hake is now in the final three main candidates for the West Brom job in what would be a fascinating move.
Rene Hake’s managerial record
Hake first became a manager in 2010, taking charge of Emmen having coached in the Twente ranks.
After just 13 wins in 60 games, Hake departed Emmen in 2012 and became an assistant coach at PEC Zwolle and Twente.
Come 2015, Hake had been promoted to Twente boss but lasted just over two years, winning 36% of his games.
Cambuur gave Hake a chance in 2018 and he improved his win rate again, winning 44% of his games before leaving in 2019 as his contract expired.
Hake returned to the development aspect of the game by coaching Jong Utrecht, eventually stepping up to become first-team boss in 2020.
Hake won 40% of his games at Utrecht but was still sacked in March 2022, paving the way for a move to Go Ahead Eagles.
A ninth-place finish in the Eredivisie last season was a great season for Hake but he traded it all in for a chance with United.
Now out of work again, Hake could be set for his first managerial role outside of the Netherlands with West Brom clearly very interested.
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