Evening Standard
·8 November 2024
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·8 November 2024
The Dutchman’s spell as interim head coach is coming to an end
Ruud van Nistelrooy is remaining patient as he waits to discover if he will have a role at Manchester United alongside incoming head coach Ruben Amorim.
The club legend's spell as interim boss draws to a close following the visit of Leicester City - whom he's already masterminded a 5-2 victory over in the Carabao Cup - on Sunday and he goes into his final game in charge on the back of an important 2-0 victory over PAOK in the Europa League.
Then a new era at Old Trafford begins and it's expected that Amorim will bring several of his own backroom staff from Sporting CP to United, thus leaving van Nistelrooy - who was assistant to Erik ten Hag - in the dark as to whether he will have a place on the coaching team, although the Dutchman is willing to help “in any capacity”.
Asked on TNT Sports on if he's had any contact with the Portuguese tactician, van Nistelrooy jokingly replied: "I did [check my phone] after I left your desk, I checked my wifi and it was all on!
"Nothing yet, patience."
Regardless of what decision is taken, van Nistelrooy says he can reflect on his spell with great pride so far having steadied the ship following the departure of ten Hag.
"For me it was important to get results and there was the Leicester game, the Chelsea game and this one [PAOK] so I can only be happy with the performance that the players put in and the bit I could do to help them, I enjoyed it, " he added.
"Sunday is another one and I'm so focused on doing that and hardly thinking of what will be next but it will be time to do so."
Amorim's first game as Man United head coach is after the November international break as his side face newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Sunday, November 24 and it remains to be seen if he will be joined in the Portman Road dugout by van Nistelrooy.