Sir Alex Ferguson’s former Man Utd coach lands shock new role with EFL side

SIR ALEX FERGUSON’s former coach Rene Meulensteen has landed a new job in the EFL. The Dutchman has been hired by Stockport County to be the club’s new director of football methodology. Rene Meulensteen has landed a job at Stockport County Credit: x He used to work as a coach under Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United Credit: Getty Meulensteen, 62, spent 12 years working at Old Trafford across two different spells. His first stint with Manchester United was between 2001 and 2006 before returning in 2007 to 2013. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! He left the club after Ferguson’s retirement and ahead of the appointment of David Moyes. Stockport announced that Meulensteen would be taking on the new job, which will see him try to build an elite football department at the club. Sporting director Damien Allen said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our club’s history with the appointment of our first-ever Director of Football Methodology. “This landmark appointment reflects our commitment to building an elite football department, where every player and coach across the club is aligned behind a clear football philosophy, coaching methodology, identity and way of working. “We are delighted to welcome René to the club. “His wealth of experience, football knowledge and proven success at the highest level will bring invaluable expertise to our coaching department. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Meulensteen spent 12 years working at United Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times “He will work closely with our first-team staff throughout the training week and on matchdays, while playing a pivotal role in the development of our football programme across the Academy and First Team. “From the outset, we were determined to appoint someone with an exceptional track record of developing players. “Throughout his distinguished career, he has played a key role in maximising the potential of world-class players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, and was an integral member of one of the most successful coaching teams in modern football, winning 11 major honours, including four Premier League titles and the Uefa Champions League. “This appointment represents another important step in delivering our long-term vision, reinforcing our commitment to creating an elite football department and developing players and coaches capable of competing at the highest levels of the game.” Stockport’s head coach Jimmy McNulty is also excited by the appointment of Meulensteen He added: “It is a genuine pleasure to be adding a coach of René Meulensteen’s calibre to our coaching team. “Having operated at the very highest level, guided elite players, and gained invaluable experience across diverse footballing cultures in both domestic leagues and major international tournaments, he brings a tremendous breadth of wisdom and perspective to our coaching team. “This brilliant addition adds another layer of strength to our coaching collective and I am delighted René has decided to join our County team.” Jimmy McNulty is looking forward to working with the Dutchman Credit: Getty Meulensteen was most recently working as the assistant coach for the Iraq team at the World Cup. He has also previously had jobs at Danish side Brondby and Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. The coach also had a short spell as the manager of Premier League side Fulham between 2013 and 2014. He only lasted four months in the role before he was sacked after just four wins in 17 games. Comment now