Erik ten Hag was brought performance psychologist Rainier Koers to Manchester United to observe training session.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Rainier Koers was among staff present for the winter training camp in Spain earlier this month – when Erik ten Hag had a depleted squad due to the World Cup.
However, it is reported that club sources say Koers attends first-team training a couple of days a week, so he will soon become familiar with all of the players in the squad.
Koers describes himself on his website as a life coach who can aid people who get stuck in their lives due to major events. He writes: “I help you get to your feeling. We start with becoming aware and being aware. Together we look at what you do and why you do it. Recognise behaviour, explore patterns and, if necessary, break through and change.”
This is something Sir Alex Ferguson felt was important when he hired sports psychologist Bill Beswick, off the back of a recommendation from Steve McClaren. It can only be a good thing if the club are trying to take better care of our players and their struggles on and off the pitch.
Especially when we’ve struggled in recent years.
United interim manager Ralf Rangnick had the same idea when he introduced sports psychologist Sasha Lense to his staff last season, although they both left at the end of the season.
The report also adds that Ten Hag, a fan of cycling, urged staff to meet Tour de France winners Team Jumbo-Visma to learn more about nutrition and sleeping patterns.
Ten Hag is trying to build Manchester United for the long term by looking at the bigger picture. This is certainly a building process for the Dutchman and we admire how he is going about it.
Hopefully Koers will have a positive impact on the dressing room.
