“It hurt…” Ruud van Nistelrooy issues true feelings on Manchester United dismissal, reveals Rúben Amorim moment

Ruud van Nistelrooy has issued his honest thoughts on being dismissed by Manchester United following their appointment of Rúben Amorim as the new head coach.

Ruud van Nistelrooy departed Manchester United last month, just five months into his role, as Rúben Amorim took over as the club’s new head coach.

The Dutchman was brought in last July as part of a comprehensive overhaul of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff. However, his position became uncertain following Ten Hag’s dismissal last month.

During his short tenure, Van Nistelrooy oversaw four matches, achieving two wins against Leicester City, a victory over PAOK, and a Premier League draw with Chelsea.

The club confirmed Van Nistelrooy’s exit alongside three other backroom staff members, marking the start of Amorim’s tenure, and within weeks, the Dutchman has been confirmed as the new manager of Premier League side Leicester City.

Van Nistelrooy opens up

Following his appointment at the Foxes, Van Nistelrooy was asked for his honest thoughts on leaving United just months after joining as an assistant coach.

 “The moment I took over the interim job, what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it,” Van Nistelrooy explained. “So I was disappointed, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave.

“The only job I would have taken as an assistant manager was at United because of the bond I have with the people in the club, and the fans.

“In the end I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager. I’m a manager myself. You can think of a situation, me being there… I understand.”

However, despite reports claiming that the pair never spoke face-to-face, Van Nistelrooy has now revealed that he and Amorim did have a conversaion surrounding his future at the time, and that he appreciated the words.

“I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him. I was grateful for the conversation: man to man, person to person, manager to manager. That helped me a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks about new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits.”

A new challenge

Taking on the Leicester City job has his first permenant position in the Premier League is no small task for Van Nistelrooy, but he explained that he feels confident he has the tools to compete and keep them in the league.

They currently sit 16th in the Premier League on 10 points, just one above the relegation zone.

Van Nistelrooy added: “I was able to make a decision that felt really good for me, and now I’m here. Everyone tells you about how good the facilities are here but when you come and see it with your own eyes, it’s hard to believe.

“A year ago, I was in Madrid meeting [Carlo] Ancelotti, and being with him and the facilities over there, if you change the logos, it’s similar. It’s fantastic and it’s an opportunity here for young players, and all the players, to use everything possible to develop, to get better and to become better players. And in the end, that’s what it’s about.

“For me, it’s important that I know how things are planned and managed in the near-future but also in the little-bit-longer future.

“What is most important is the current squad and for me to really get a good assessment over the coming weeks leading into the January window to make those assessments by giving every player the chance.”

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