Ruud van Nistelrooy sends Manchester United coaching hint amid return links

Ruud van Nistelrooy has outlined his coaching ambitions as he has been approached to join Erik ten Hag’s staff at Manchester United.

Van Nistelrooy, 47, spent five years at United during his playing career, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances.

The Dutchman retired in 2012 and has since been developing himself as a coach. He joined PSV Eindhoven as a youth coach in 2016 and worked his way to becoming the first-team manager in 2022.

He led the team to win two trophies during that season but departed the club at the end of the season due to a lack of management support and is now searching for his next opportunity.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old has been approached to be a part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at United.

It was explained that Van Nistelrooy will have a decision to make, with Burnley keen to make him their new head coach. Changes are expected in the coaching team at Old Trafford.

Speaking recently, Van Nistelrooy has opened up on his coaching ambitions and he has already suggested that he believes he has gained the relevant experience to manage at the top level.

“I have had offers from various clubs, also in my own country, but I would love to work in England or in Spain,” he said.

I want to coach in a league where I have played because I speak the language fluently in those countries.

“In my opinion, I have gained plenty of experience. I have gone through the ranks.

“I did the younger youth teams at PSV Eindhoven, I was coach of the under-21s and subsequently became manager of the first team.

“I have managed a lot of different players. I helped young talented players develop and let them grow, like Gakpo, Madueke (Johan) Bakayoko and Xavi Simons. I was able to support them in their development.

“It matters to me that it is a well-organised club. I still want to work with young players, but ideally with a mixture of experienced professionals. I want to help them improve and bring a winning mentality.

“The latter is the most important thing. With my style of football.”

It seems unlikely that Van Nistelrooy would want to take the step back to become an assistant coach at Old Trafford, unless INEOS can convince him of the role and the benefits he would receive.

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