View source for Mitchell van der Gaag

{{short description|Dutch footballer and coach}} 
{{family name hatnote|van der Gaag|Gaag|lang=Dutch}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name =  Mitchell van der Gaag
| image = 
| full_name = Mitchell van der Gaag
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|10|22|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Zutphen]], Netherlands
| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foradejogo.net/player.php?player=197110220001&language=2 |title=Van Der Gaag (Mitchell van der Gaag) |website=ForaDeJogo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026065730/http://www.foradejogo.net/player.php?player=197110220001&language=2 |archive-date=26 October 2012}}</ref>
| position = [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|Centre-back]]
| currentclub =  [[FC Zürich|Zürich]] (head coach)
| youthyears1 = 
| youthyears2 = 
| youthyears3 = 1986–1989
| youthclubs1 = SC Brummen
| youthclubs2 = [[De Graafschap]]
| youthclubs3 = [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]]
| years1 = 1989–1994
| years2 = 1989–1990
| years3 = 1990–1992
| years4 = 1995–1997
| years5 = 1997–2001
| years6 = 2001–2006
| years7 = 2006–2007
| clubs1 = [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]]
| clubs2 = → [[N.E.C. (football club)|NEC]] (loan)
| clubs3 = → [[Sparta Rotterdam]] (loan)
| clubs4 = [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]]
| clubs5 = [[FC Utrecht|Utrecht]]
| clubs6 = [[C.S. Marítimo|Marítimo]]
| clubs7 = [[Al Nassr FC|Al Nassr]]
| caps1 = 44
| caps2 = 10
| caps3 = 55
| caps4 = 42
| caps5 = 99
| caps6 = 154
| caps7 = 27
| totalcaps = 431
| goals1 = 4
| goals2 = 2
| goals3 = 4
| goals4 = 8
| goals5 = 11
| goals6 = 18
| goals7 = 3
| totalgoals = 50
| nationalyears1 = 1990–1991
| nationalteam1 = [[Netherlands national under-21 football team|Netherlands U21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2008–2009
| manageryears2 = 2009–2010
| manageryears3 = 2012–2013
| manageryears4 = 2015
| manageryears5 = 2015–2016
| manageryears6 = 2016–2018
| manageryears7 = 2018–2019
| manageryears8 = 2019–2021
| manageryears9 = 2025–
| managerclubs1 = [[C.S. Marítimo B|Marítimo B]]
| managerclubs2 = [[C.S. Marítimo|Marítimo]]
| managerclubs3 = [[C.F. Os Belenenses|Belenenses]]
| managerclubs4 = [[Ermis Aradippou FC|Ermis]]
| managerclubs5 = [[FC Eindhoven|Eindhoven]]
| managerclubs6 = [[Excelsior Rotterdam|Excelsior]]
| managerclubs7 = [[NAC Breda|NAC]]
| managerclubs8 = [[Jong Ajax]]
| managerclubs9 = [[FC Zürich|Zürich]]
| club-update = 
| nationalteam-update = 
}}
'''Mitchell van der Gaag''' (born 22 October 1971) is a Dutch professional [[association football|football]] coach and former player who played as a [[centre-back]]. He is the current head coach of [[Swiss Super League]] side [[FC Zürich]].

He made 208 [[Eredivisie]] appearances, scoring 19 goals, for [[N.E.C. (football club)|NEC]], [[Sparta Rotterdam]], [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] and [[F.C. Utrecht|Utrecht]]. Abroad, he had spells at [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] in the [[Scottish Premier League]] and [[C.S. Marítimo|Marítimo]] in Portugal's [[Primeira Liga]], playing 174 total games for the latter and scoring 19 times.

As a manager, van der Gaag led several teams including Marítimo and [[C.F. Os Belenenses|Belenenses]] in Portugal, as well as [[Excelsior Rotterdam|Excelsior]] and [[NAC Breda|NAC]] in his country.

==Playing career==
Van der Gaag was born in [[Zutphen]], [[Gelderland]]. After graduating from [[PSV Eindhoven]]'s youth academy, he spent three seasons on loan to [[N.E.C. (football club)|NEC Nijmegen]] and [[Sparta Rotterdam]], returning to [[Eindhoven]] for a further three years but never being an important first-team figure, however.

In January 1995, van der Gaag signed with [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]]. He scored a career-best seven goals in 28 games in his [[1996–97 Scottish Premier Division|second full season]] to help the Steelmen narrowly avoid relegation from the [[Scottish Football League Premier Division|Scottish Premier Division]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mitchell-van-der-gaag-becomes-4792274|title=Mitchell van der Gaag becomes hot favourite to take charge at Motherwell|newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|first=Gordon|last=Parks|date=11 December 2014|access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref> and subsequently returned to the [[Eredivisie]] with [[FC Utrecht|Utrecht]].

For the [[2001–02 Primeira Liga|2001–02 campaign]], van der Gaag joined Portugal's [[C.S. Marítimo|Marítimo]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/van-der-gaag-tekent-bij-maritimo.htm|title=Van der Gaag tekent bij Marítimo|trans-title=Van der Gaag signs with Marítimo|publisher=[[Voetbal International]]|language=nl|date=2 July 2001|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref> going on to be one of the [[Madeira]] club's most influential players as it consolidated in the [[Primeira Liga]]. He scored six times in [[2003–04 Primeira Liga|2003–04]], helping the team finish sixth and [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|qualify]] for the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/3699722.stm|title=Maritimo warning for Gers|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=29 September 2004|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
Van der Gaag retired from football in 2007, having spent one season with [[Al Nassr FC|Al Nassr]] in [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/alnassr-zet-van-der-gaag-op-straat.htm|title=Al-Nassr zet Van der Gaag op straat|trans-title=Al-Nassr show door to Van der Gaag|publisher=Voetbal International|language=nl|date=5 September 2006|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref> In July of the following year, he returned to Marítimo as a coach and took the reins of its [[C.S. Marítimo B|B team]].

In October 2009, after [[Carlos Carvalhal]]'s dismissal following a string of bad results, van der Gaag was promoted to the main squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/maritimo-sad-confirma-van-der-gaag-como-treinador-principal|title=Marítimo: SAD confirma Van der Gaag como treinador principal|trans-title=Marítimo: PLSC confirms Van der Gaag as head coach|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=17 October 2009|access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> After helping them [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|finish fifth]] – a place conquered in the last round with a 2–1 away win against [[Vitória S.C.|Vitória de Guimarães]], who were leapfrogged in the process – and [[2010–11 UEFA Europa League|qualify for the Europa League]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/maritimo-rouba-ultima-vaga-da-liga-europa-ao-guimaraes|title=Marítimo rouba última vaga da Liga Europa ao Guimarães|trans-title=Marítimo steal last Europa League berth from Guimarães|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=9 May 2010|access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref> his contract was renewed for a further year.

On 14 September 2010, after collecting only one point in [[2010–11 Primeira Liga|the league]]'s first four matches and being ousted by [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE]] in the Europa League, van der Gaag was sacked by Marítimo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/185140-maritimo-ontslaat-van-der-gaag|title=Maritimo ontslaat Van der Gaag|trans-title=Maritimo sack Van der Gaag|publisher=[[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting]]|language=nl|date=15 September 2010|access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> He returned to management after nearly two years, still in Portugal, signing with [[Segunda Liga]] side [[C.F. Os Belenenses|Belenenses]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/liga_honra/Belenenses/interior.aspx?content_id=759111|title=Van der Gaag por três épocas|trans-title=Van der Gaag for three seasons|newspaper=[[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]]|first1=João Pedro|last1=Abecasis|first2=Nuno Miguel|last2=Ferreira|language=pt|date=29 May 2012|access-date=31 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530010952/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/liga_honra/Belenenses/interior.aspx?content_id=759111|archive-date=30 May 2012}}</ref> In his [[2012–13 Segunda Liga|first season]], he won the league, thus returning the club to the top flight after three years.<ref name=Hero>{{cite news|url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1017/Buitenlands-voetbal/article/detail/3420740/2013/04/05/Mitchell-van-der-Gaag-held-in-Lissabon.dhtml|title=Mitchell van der Gaag held in Lissabon|trans-title=Mitchell van der Gaag hero in Lisbon|newspaper=Algemeen Dagblad|language=nl|date=5 April 2013|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/opiniao/leitores/interior.aspx?content_id=820083|title=Belenenses um clube de Lisboa|trans-title=Belenenses a Lisbon club|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=6 May 2013|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref>

Van der Gaag took a temporary leave of absence in late September 2013 due to heart problems, after feeling unwell during a league game against former side Marítimo (1–0 home win).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2013/09/26/desporto/noticia/van-der-gaag-deixa-belenenses-devido-a-problema-cardiaco-1607167|title=Van der Gaag deixa Belenenses devido a problema cardíaco|trans-title=Van der Gaag leaves Belenenses due to heart problem|newspaper=[[Público (Portugal)|Público]]|language=pt|date=26 September 2013|access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> In February 2015, he was appointed at [[Ermis Aradippou FC|Ermis Aradippou]] of the [[Cypriot First Division]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sentragoal.gr/article.asp?catid=37232&subid=2&pubid=129973303|script-title=el:Κατέληξε στον «τουλίπα» Μίτσελ φαν ντερ Χάαχ|trans-title=In comes "tulip" Mitchell van der Gaag|publisher=Sentra Goal|language=el|date=4 February 2015|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> being released after just one month after refusing to renew his contract for the following campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sentragoal.philenews.com/article.asp?catid=31562&subid=2&pubid=130019612|script-title=el:«Ευχαριστώ για την ευκαιρία...»|trans-title=«Thank you for the opportunity...»|publisher=Sentra Goal|first=Panos|last=Larkos|language=el|date=25 March 2015|access-date=9 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602074936/http://sentragoal.philenews.com/article.asp?catid=31562&subid=2&pubid=130019612|archive-date=2 June 2015}}</ref>

After spending the [[2015–16 Eerste Divisie|2015–16 season]] back in his country with [[FC Eindhoven]], in the [[Eerste Divisie]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/fc-eindhoven-stelt-van-der-gaag-aan-als-coach~acc1a762/|title=FC Eindhoven stelt Van der Gaag aan als coach|trans-title=FC Eindhoven appoint Van der Gaag as coach|newspaper=Algemeen Dagblad|language=nl|date=1 June 2015|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref> van der Gaag moved to the top flight and successively coached [[Excelsior Rotterdam|Excelsior]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nu.nl/voetbal/5160443/trainer-van-gaag-verlengt-aflopend-contract-bij-excelsior-niet.html|title=Trainer Van der Gaag verlengt aflopend contract bij Excelsior niet|trans-title=Manager Van der Gaag does not extend expiring contract with Excelsior|publisher=[[NU.nl]]|language=nl|date=4 March 2018|access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref> and [[NAC Breda]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/3311519/van-der-gaag-weg-bij-nac-breda|title=Van der Gaag weg bij NAC Breda|trans-title=Van der Gaag out at NAC Breda|newspaper=[[De Telegraaf]]|language=nl|date=18 March 2019|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref> On 24 May 2019, he returned to the former tier after signing a two-year deal at [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]'s [[Jong Ajax|reserves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajax.nl/streams/actueel/mitchell-van-der-gaag-trainer-jong-ajax.htm|title=Mitchell van der Gaag trainer Jong Ajax|trans-title=Mitchell van der Gaag Jong Ajax manager|publisher=AFC Ajax|language=nl|date=24 May 2019|access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>

Van der Gaag was appointed assistant manager of the first team of on 1 June 2021, replacing the departing [[Christian Poulsen]]. His position at the reserves was filled by [[John Heitinga]], who had previously worked in [[Ajax Youth Academy|the youth academy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/hoofdnieuws/van-der-gaag-schuift-door-naar-ajax-1-heitinga-trainer-jong-ajax|title=Van der Gaag schuift door naar Ajax 1; Heitinga trainer Jong Ajax|trans-title=Van der Gaag through to Ajax 1; Heitinga manager of Jong Ajax|publisher=Ajax Showtime|language=nl|date=1 June 2021|access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref>

On 23 May 2022, Van der Gaag was confirmed as assistant head coach of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], along with [[Steve McClaren]], to work with first team head coach [[Erik ten Hag]], who he previously worked with at Ajax.<ref name="may23">{{Cite web |title=Backroom Staff Appointments Confirmed |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/mitchell-van-der-gaag-and-steve-mcclaren-appointments-confirmed |publisher=Manchester United |date=23 May 2022 |access-date=23 May 2022 }}</ref>

On 26 November 2023, in a Premier league match against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] at [[Goodison Park]], with Erik Ten Hag suspended, Van der Gaag was the coach on the sidelines as Manchester United won 3-0.

Following a coaching staff overhaul, Van der Gaag departed his role with Manchester United on 9 July 2024 to pursue a head coach position at a different club.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.givemesport.com/mitchell-van-der-gaag-man-utd-contract-terminated-erik-ten-hag/ |title = Mitchell van der Gaag Has Man Utd Contract Terminated |date = 10 July 2024 |website = GiveMeSport |access-date = 10 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5577902/2024/07/11/van-nistelrooy-hake-manchester-united/|title = Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake join Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United coaching staff |date = 11 July 2024 |website = The Athletic |access-date = 22 July 2024}}</ref> 

On 31 May 2025, he was announced as the new head coach of [[FC Zürich]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcz.ch/pages/news/mitchell-van-der-gaag-wird-neuer-cheftrainer-des-fc-zurich|title=Mitchell van der Gaag wird neuer Cheftrainer des FC Zürich|publisher=[[FC Zürich]]|date=31 May 2025|access-date=31 May 2025|language=de-ch}}</ref> signing a two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van der Gaag becomes new coach of FC Zurich |url=https://www.bluewin.ch/en/sport/football/van-der-gaag-becomes-new-coach-of-fc-zurich-2718464.html |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=blue News |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Van der Gaag's father [[Wim van der Gaag|Wim]] was also a footballer, who was one of the first professionals in the Netherlands in 1954.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Verkamman |first1=Matty |title=Een duizendpoot met een groot sporthart 'Ik zie Hans Boskamp nog staan, aan beide armen een blondine' 'Als ik het over moest doen, deed ik het weer precies zo'|trans-title=A centipede with a big sporting heart 'I can still see Hans Boskamp standing, a blonde on each arm' 'If I had to do it all over again, I would do it exactly the same way' |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/een-duizendpoot-met-een-groot-sporthart-ik-zie-hans-boskamp-nog-staan-aan-beide-armen-een-blondine-als-ik-het-over-moest-doen-deed-ik-het-weer-precies-zo~b1d2ff65/ |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=[[Trouw]] |date=24 December 1993 |language=Dutch}}</ref> His sons [[Jordan van der Gaag|Jordan]] and Luca also went into the game, representing [[Belenenses SAD|Belenenses]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pereira |first1=Sérgio |last2=Alvarenga |first2=Vítor Hugo |title=O futebol português também é uma questão de ADN |trans-title=Portuguese football is also a question of DNA|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/historia/fc-porto/o-futebol-portugues-tambem-e-uma-questao-de-adn |access-date=12 October 2021 |publisher=Mais Futebol |date=2 October 2021 |language=Portuguese}}</ref>

==Honours==
===Player===
'''PSV'''
*[[Dutch Supercup]]: [[1992 Dutch Supercup|1992]]

===Manager===
'''Belenenses'''
*[[Segunda Liga]]: [[2012–13 Segunda Liga|2012–13]]<ref name=Hero/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.beijen.net/frank/cvs/gaag-m-van-der.htm Beijen profile] {{in lang|nl}}
*[http://www.vi.nl/Spelers/Speler/Mitchell-van-der-Gaag.htm Stats at Voetbal International] {{in lang|nl}}
*{{ForaDeJogo}}
*{{ForaDeJogo manager|456}}

{{FC Zürich squad}}
{{Swiss Super League managers}}
{{Motherwell F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Mitchell van der Gaag managerial positions
|list1=
{{CS Marítimo managers}}
{{C.F. Os Belenenses managers}}
{{FC Eindhoven managers}}
{{Excelsior Rotterdam managers}}
{{NAC Breda managers}}
{{Jong Ajax managers}}
{{FC Zürich managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaag, Mitchell Van Der}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Zutphen]]
[[Category:Footballers from Gelderland]]
[[Category:Dutch men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Eredivisie players]]
[[Category:PSV Eindhoven players]]
[[Category:NEC Nijmegen players]]
[[Category:Sparta Rotterdam players]]
[[Category:FC Utrecht players]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League players]]
[[Category:Motherwell F.C. players]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga players]]
[[Category:C.S. Marítimo players]]
[[Category:Saudi Pro League players]]
[[Category:Al-Nassr FC players]]
[[Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Scotland]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Portugal]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Dutch football managers]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga managers]]
[[Category:Liga Portugal 2 managers]]
[[Category:C.S. Marítimo managers]]
[[Category:C.F. Os Belenenses managers]]
[[Category:Cypriot First Division managers]]
[[Category:Eredivisie managers]]
[[Category:FC Eindhoven managers]]
[[Category:Excelsior Rotterdam managers]]
[[Category:NAC Breda managers]]
[[Category:Jong Ajax managers]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Portugal]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in England]]