Ruud van Nistelrooy sends message to Erik ten Hag as Man United legend expected to return

Ruud van Nistelrooy has sent a message to Erik ten Hag as the Manchester United legend is expected to return to his former club.

Van Nistelrooy began his management career at PSV Eindhoven in 2022/23 after spending several years going through the coaching system at the Dutch club.

The United legend left the Eredivisie club at the end of that season despite winning two trophies. He felt that he did not have the support of the club’s board.

He is now looking for his next opportunity, and the 47-year-old appears to be seriously considering a return to Old Trafford.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that Van Nistelrooy had been approached to join Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at United, and new reports from ad.nl state that those conversations have gone positively.

The Dutch outlet says that Van Nistelrooy is set to return to United as Ten Hag’s new assistant coach.

Despite having already managed, the United legend seems to believe that being the right-hand man at Old Trafford is a ‘wonderful challenge’ and has already expressed his admiration for Ten Hag.

Van Nistelrooy has explained that Dutch managers like Ten Hag are motivating factors for him to continue learning and developing his own coaching.

“There is a long history of great Dutch coaches, and I have so much admiration for the careers they have had,” he told the Coaches Voice.

“Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal, Guus Hiddink, Dick Advocaat, and now of course Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot.

“It is motivational for me to continue learning, to continue improving myself, and maybe one day make the steps to show I am capable of that. It’s a fantastic challenge, and I’m looking forward to taking it on.”

Van Nistelrooy clearly believes that there is much to learn from Ten Hag and being in the environment at United once again.

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