Belgian star breaks silence on ‘excellent relationship’ with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Man Utd coach follows him closely

One Belgian star has spoken about his ‘excellent relationship’ with Manchester United assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to Manchester United this summer to be one of Erik ten Hag’s assistant coaches following a reshuffle of his coaching staff.

The United legend has been well-received since he came back to Old Trafford and has even been linked with potentially replacing Ten Hag if the manager is sacked.

Read More: Manchester United ‘make contact’ with two managerial targets in case Erik ten Hag gets sacked

Van Nistelrooy has experience of being in the hot-seat at PSV Eindhoven, where he won two trophies in the 2022/23 campaign before leaving due to matters behind-the-scenes.

Beforehand, the Dutch coach also worked in PSV’s youth system, where he helped develop several talents, including 20-year-old goalkeeper Kjell Peersman.

Peersman departed PSV on loan in the summer to get first-team experience at Lierse SK and has recently spoken about his relationship with Van Nistelrooy.

The young Belgian shot-stopper said, as per Sport Witness: “I had an excellent relationship with former head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“But a lot has changed for me since the arrival of Peter Bosz. I still feel a lot of confidence from the club, you know. But this summer it was simply important for me to be able to become the first goalkeeper somewhere.

“When it became clear that I would be loaned out for a year, suddenly many clubs were on the line but at Lierse I immediately felt the right click.

“Here I could start the preparation as a full-fledged competitor of Jarno De Smet, who played every game last season. And I already knew the coach of Lierse.”

Speaking further on his former coach, Peersman says that Van Nistelrooy is paying close attention to his games on loan.

“He also follows Lierse’s performances closely,” the 20-year-old added. “Our contact has remained very good after he left PSV, I still hear from him regularly.

“Although he is of course also very busy himself now as assistant of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.”

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