Erik ten Hag‘s absence from Everton’s match against Manchester United today.
Manchester United return to Premier League play tonight against Everton, although they will be without manager Erik ten Hag on the sidelines.
The under-fire Dutchman will be confined to a spectator role at Goodison Park later this afternoon, in what is sure to be a heated atmosphere.
The match against United will be the first for Everton after being docked ten points for violating the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations.
And, given that Everton have called the ruling ‘wholly disproportionate and unjust,’ a ferocious atmosphere is expected on Merseyside- all the more reason why the Red Devils will be disappointed not to have their manager on the sidelines to help guide them through the expected turbulence this afternoon.
Erik ten Hag’s absence from Everton’s match against Manchester United today.
So, why exactly isn’t Ten Hag managing Manchester United against Everton, and who is his assistant Mitchel van der Gaag tasked with stepping in?
Here is everything you need to know.
Why isn’t Erik ten Hag on the bench for Manchester United?
Ten Hag won’t be on the touchline for Manchester United’s clash with Everton having picked up three yellow cards already this season.
Managers who receive three yellow cards before the New Year face a one-match penalty under newly implemented FA guidelines.
Ten Hag was shown his third yellow card of the season during the 1-0 Premier League win against Luton Town in the final game before the international break, with the 53-year-old displeased with the visitors being awarded a throw-in in the 95th minute.
Ten Hag said of the comment that placed him in deep water with regulators, ‘It was about a time so obvious. It was a throw-in, but it was the second time around.
‘I was on top of it, and it was so clear and obvious that it was our ball – that was my response, and as a result, I got booked.
‘Of course, you have to accept judgments at some time, and I should as well.’
While Ten Hag will be barred from the dugout, he will be able to watch the game from the director’s box and communicate with his staff using a communication device.
He is also permitted to enter the away dressing room before and after the game – but not at half-time.
Ten Hag will be back in his usual place for the trip to Newcastle next Saturday.
Who is Mitchel van der Gaag?
Ten Hag’s assistant Mitchel van der Gaag will lead the team in the manager’s absence.
Van der Gaag, who has spent more than a decade as a manager in Portugal, Cyprus, and the Netherlands, joined United from Ajax last summer alongside Ten Hag.
During his stint in charge of Belenenses in Portugal, Van der Gaag suffered a heart attack in the middle of a match and was saved by two shocks from a defibrillator, forcing him to miss time.
Along with Eric Ramsay and Benni McCarthy, Steve McClaren will be on hand to assist Van der Gaag.
Ten Hag is confident in his backroom staff’s ability to lead United at Goodison Park, saying, ‘I will have an even better perspective [from the stands], but we have a very competent backstage staff. They are really talented and experienced, and they know just what to accomplish. That will have no effect on our game.’
