ERIK TEN HAG gave Manchester United first-team coach Eric Ramsay the green light to join Wales.
Ramsay will combine his Old Trafford role with the assistant coach position under Dragons boss Robert Page.
ReutersSoccer Football – FA Cup – Fifth Round – Manchester United v West Ham United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – March 1, 2023 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag REUTERS/Carl Recine[/caption]
PAFile photo dated 11-12-2021 of Manchester United first team coach Eric Ramsay who Wales manager Rob Page has added to his backroom staff. Issue date: Thursday March 2, 2023. PA Photo. See PA Story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire[/caption]
The 31-year-old replaces Kit Symons, who was axed after Wales’ disappointing group stage World Cup exit in Qatar, and joins Alan Knill in Page’s backroom staff.
Ramsay revealed: “I’ve had conversations in the last weeks and months with Dave Adams, the technical director, and Rob. There was a hurdle to overcome and conversations to be had with Manchester United, the club I work for, and how it will work and how I would combine the roles.
“Once it transpired that it would be something the club were supportive of and, after speaking to Dave and Rob again, then it has fallen into place quite nicely.”
Page has drafted in Ramsay and West Ham’s head of performance Nick Davies, who replaces Tony Strudwick, in time for the Euro 2024 qualifiers which start in Croatia on March 25 before facing Latvia at home three days later.
The Wales chief thanked both Ten Hag and Hammers boss David Moyes for their help in borrowing the highly-rated coaches.
Page said: “We had initial conversations and they showed an interest which we were pleased about.
“Then out of respect they spoke to their clubs because they have to be okay with it – and the managers first – because they are losing a valuable member of his staff, albeit for a short space of time. We are borrowing these members of staff. I want to thank the clubs, they are showing a willingness with it.”
Ramsay joined United from Chelsea in the summer of 2021 as a set-piece coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was wanted for managerial posts by EFL duo Blackpool and Barnsley this season.
While Davies has previous experience at then Prem clubs West Brom, Norwich, Birmingham and Charlton.
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Page said: “Eric and Nick will be two great additions. Eric is arguably one of the best young coaches in British football. From a set-piece point of view, which is becoming a niche specialist position, he will add value.
“With the changes we are going to make to the playing staff and how we evolve that, having a young coach that is going to be out on the grass with the younger players coming through is definitely going to benefit us as well.
“Nick has a wealth of experience having been involved in top clubs. It’s a new start and a fresh challenge.”
Ramsay’s status has grown under Ten Hag and he has worked alongside Mitchell van der Gaag, Steve McClaren and Benni McCarthy as the Carabao Cup winners chase four trophies.
The Uefa pro licence holder, who speaks fluent Spanish and was hailed by Christian Eriksen for being the brains behind a brilliant set-piece routine scored by Marcus Rashford in December’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, added: “I’m fortunate now to be a club that has now moved on significantly over the course of the last six or seven months. There is a top, really elite head coach in place and that has been a real learning experience for me.
“The last 18 months have been mixed from the club’s perspective. I’ve worked with four managers if you include Michael Carrick who took over as an interim. It’s been an incredibly intense 18 months. It feels far longer than that.
“The plus is I’m young with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I’ve got children but they are not of an age where they are going to miss their father when I’m away on international duty – that is in addition to the time I’m away with the duties I have with the club which is pretty significant at the moment. I can combine the roles well enough and give my best for club and country.”