Eric Ramsay departs Manchester United to become Minnesota United head coach

Major League Soccer outfit Minnesota United have announced the appointment of Eric Ramsay as their new head coach.

The 32-year-old will become the youngest head coach in MLS when he officially completes his move from Manchester United at the beginning of next month.

Ramsay will remain in his current role as a first-team coach under manager Erik ten Hag until after Man United's Premier League clash with rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Sunday.

The Welshman, who became the youngest British coach to earn his UEFA Pro Licence in 2019, has been part of the Red Devils first-team coaching group since joining from Chelsea in 2021 to link up with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ramsay, who has also worked as a youth team coach at Swansea City and as an assistant coach for the Wales national team, is now looking forward to his first senior role as a manager with Minnesota.

The club has announced Eric Ramsay as the second head coach in Minnesota United's Major League Soccer history. Ramsay joins the club from Manchester United, where he served as a first-team coach under current manager Erik ten Hag pic.twitter.com/GiMKz2huxQ

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 26, 2024

The Shrewsbury-born coach will join Minnesota pending receipt of his work visa and will replace Cameron Knowles, who spent an interim period in charge of the Loons following the departure of manager Adrian Heath in October last year.

"I'm incredibly excited to be joining a club with such a strong football culture, a fanatic fan-base and a brilliant infrastructure," Ramsay told Minnesota's official website.

"I've spoken to a lot of the club's staff throughout the process and you can't help but feel everyone's passion for moving the club forward.

"There is a really exciting pathway for the future of the club and I'm looking forward to playing my role in realizing that vision.

"I thank the club for putting its faith in me and I hope it's the start of another successful period for everyone connected with Minnesota United."

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Minnesota's chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad added: "After an extensive search that included dozens of impressive domestic and international candidates, we are confident that Eric Ramsay is the best choice to lead our club.

"His experience working with top-level players, coaches, and sporting staff at both the club and international level – as well as his alignment in playing style and development philosophy – all fit with the vision we have for the future of MNUFC.

"Beyond his soccer pedigree, he is a genuine person who is aligned with the values and culture at the club. He speaks several languages, has experience in managing a multicultural locker room at the highest level, and he understands the importance of community engagement and the value of a passionate fanbase.

"He fits everything that MNUFC is about, and we are looking forward to welcoming Eric to Minnesota United FC."

After finishing 11th in the Western Conference last year, Minnesota have made a bright start to the 2024 campaign as they beat Austin FC 2-1 away from home in their opening fixture last weekend.