Mike Phelan has been confirmed as assistant manager at Manchester United, the club announced on Friday.
The decision brings to rest speculation that Phelan, who was an assistant at the club under Sir Alex Ferguson and rejoined this season when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as manager, could become United’s first-ever technical director. He held a similar post at Australian A-League club Central Coast Mariners, where he was sporting director.
Phelan has been given a three-year contract, the same as Solskjaer when he was made permanent manager in March. The duo will now oversee a rebuild at the club as United continue to struggle in the aftermath of Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
There will be no Champions League football at Old Trafford next season, as a string of poor results has ensured United can finish no better than fifth heading into the final day of the Premier League season, as well as dampening the optimism from the initial stages of Solskjaer’s reign when he was made interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in December.
“I am thrilled to be back as assistant manager,” Phelan was quoted as saying in a club statement. “Manchester United has been a huge part of my life since I joined as a player in 1989 and I am delighted to be able to continue that relationship in this key role.
“Since returning in December, I have enjoyed working with Ole, Michael (Carrick), Kieran (McKenna), Mark (Dempsey) and Emilio (Alvarez) and we are all focused on preparing for the new season.”
Solskjaer often credited Phelan for the success of the early days of his time in charge of United, and echoed those sentiments after the 56-year-old’s confirmation.
“Mike is a great person to have around and has been invaluable to me since we returned in December. He brings a wealth of experience to this role with a long established connection to the club,” the United manager said.
“We have a good group of coaching staff and we are already working on the challenges that lie ahead as we plan for the new season and the future beyond.”
