Danish side Brondby have announced that a former Manchester United youth player has become their assistant manager.
In recent years, when you think of former Manchester United players who turned to management, you are likely to think of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick.
Both Solskjaer and Carrick are currently unemployed after recent sackings at Besiktas and Middlesbrough, but they will hope there is light at the end of the tunnel yet because they still have a lot to give as coaches.
The vast majority of former United players who turned to management, after working under Sir Alex Ferguson, have failed to stamp their mark from the dugout.
That said, it has been well documented over the years that Ferguson stays in contact with his former players. He is also supportive of those who turn to coaching or management.
Leicester City training session with Steve Cooper and Alan Tate
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Alan Tate becomes Steve Cooper’s assistant manager at Brondby
One former United youth player has taken a job in Denmark.
Brondby are currently fourth in the Danish league under former Leicester City manager Steve Cooper.
Cooper was recently appointed head coach with a task to deliver the first league title at Brondby in four years.
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It was only a matter of time before Cooper would take some of his own trusted staff members with him, with Brondby announcing that former United academy defender Alan Tate would be their new assistant manager.
Tate, who worked with Cooper at Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, told the official Brondby website: “For me, Brondby IF is a club with a strong and proud history. As a young player at Manchester United, I clearly remember the Brondby team from the group stage in ’99, and for me it is a picture of what a great club is – a club that competes in the Champions League.”
He added: “Therefore, it is a big day for both me and my family that I can now become part of Brøndby IF as an assistant coach. For me, it is about respecting and building on the club’s traditions, while taking on the challenge of winning matches and competing for trophies, he concludes.”
Tate never made a senior appearance for United after coming through the academy.
Tate received encouragement from Ferguson
In 2019, Tate spoke about his interest in coaching after throwing his hat into the ring for the Swansea City job.
Tate revealed that he has kept in touch with Sir Alex Ferguson from his time at United.
Ferguson gave Tate encouragement and support for his career as a coach.
“In the last two years I have started to really concentrate on how other managers work,” said Tate.
“I went up to see Sir Alex and I have spoken to him on the phone a few times.
“He’s openly encouraged me. Whichever way I want to go, whether it’s a youth-team coach or a first-team manager, he would give me advice.
“But he seems to think [management] is the right path for me, that I have the right characteristics for it.”