Incoming Man Utd No2 Mitchell van der Gaag nearly DIED during 2013 match after heart scare & was saved by defibrillator
MANCHESTER UNITED'S potential next No2 Mitchell van der Gaag once collapsed during a match as a result of a heart problem.
The 50-year-old has been widely reported to be the club's new assistant manager following advanced talks.
It has been claimed that Ajax's current assistant will follow boss Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford in the near future.
Van der Gaag has been Ten Hag's right-hand man since last year, with the pair helping Ajax win the Eredivisie title.
The ex-Mothwell centre-back, who spent two years managing Ajax's reserves from 2019-2021, is known for focusing on defensive work.
That will be music to United fans' ears with the club conceding a whopping 56 goals so far in the Premier League.
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Incredibly that is the Red Devils' worst ever tally in a single season since the Premier League was formed in 1992.
But what fans may now know about Van der Gaag is that he almost died in September 2013 when he was manager of Portuguese outfit Belenenses.
Van der Gaag helped the club win the second division title in the previous campaign and was looking to make his mark in the Primeira Liga early into the 2013-14 term.
However he was forced to take a temporary leave of absence having collapsed during the 1-0 win against Maritimo.
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He required two shocks from a defibrillator to save his life, with Van der Gaag instantly taking time away from football.
Speaking at the time, he said: "I'm alive today, it was a very violent thing that happened.
"I have a heart problem, some time ago, before arriving at Belenenses.
"I have a pacemaker and defibrillator. On Saturday during the game I felt bad and received two shocks and the unit saved my life.
"I have to leave work, because life is more important. Now my doctor is my coach."