Mike Phelan will not be working for Manchester United as a first team coach next season, according to reports.
Phelan’s departure was expected as new manager Erik ten Hag already brought in Mitchell van der Gaag & Steve McLaren to assist him, with more names set to follow.
As reported by The Athletic, the veteran coach will not be assisting at the club from next season after he re-joined the club under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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However there is a chance that he could remain at the club in a non-coaching role, but that is yet to be decided.
Phelan, a former United player, was assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson from 2008 until 2013. During this stint, he was Ferguson’s right hand man for three Premier League titles, a FIFA Club World Cup, two League Cups, and two runs to the Champions League final.
He departed following Ferguson’s retirement as David Moyes wanted to bring his own coaches from Everton.
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After assuming a coaching role at Norwich City and a brief managerial stint at Hull City, Phelan eased into a sporting director role at Central Coast Mariners in Australia.
In 2019, United came back calling for him. He was asked to return as assistant for interim manager Solskjaer as the pair tried to steady the ship following the reign of Jose Mourinho.
When Solskjaer got the job permanently, Phelan retained his role. The two of them oversaw United’s attempted rebuild in the summer of 2019, signing Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and current United captain Harry Maguire.
Working with Solskjaer for three years, Phelan saw the club finishing second in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season, and making it to the final of the Europa League where they lost to Villarreal.
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After a difficult campaign the following season, Solskjaer was relieved of his duties. However, he stayed on the job to help interim manager Ralf Rangnick while the club conducted the search for a new manager.
Phelan recently signed a new contract as assistant manager which runs until June 2024. So, terms of his exit will be negotiated.
After 21 years of service as a player and coach, United are appreciative of Phelan's contribution.
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Topics: Sir Alex Ferguson, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Football
Aldy Rasyid