‘We are together’ – Van Nistelrooy makes Manchester United manager admission

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·8 November 2024

‘We are together’ – Van Nistelrooy makes Manchester United manager admission

Time and time again Ruud van Nistelrooy has ruled out the possibility of working under new head coach Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.

Van Nistelrooy has never shied away from his admiration for Manchester United, having spent five years as a striker at the club, but now as interim boss.

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The Dutchman was installed as United’s caretaker last week following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, who brought him back to the club as an assistant coach in the summer.

He has since overseen wins over Leicester City and PAOK as well as a draw with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.

Van Nistelrooy will manage United for the final time against Leicester again in the Premier League on Sunday. The Reds have home advantage – again – over a side they hammered recently in the League Cup.

However, he is none the wiser about whether he will be asked to remain as part of Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff. The Portuguese coach arrives to start work on Monday and Van Nistelrooy has just under two years left on his deal as assistant coach.

Talks are expected to be held between Amorim and Van Nistelrooy next week.

Ruud van Nistelrooy dreams of Manchester United permanent manager role

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

“Of course,” Van Nistelrooy said when asked if he has thought about becoming the permanent manager of United in the future, as per the Manchester Evening News. “I thought this through well when I made the decision to come to United as assistant coach, I thought that through.

“I knew that coming to Manchester United was for me a special occasion where I felt I wanted to be part of this journey with the club also in an assistant role. I had clear ambitions to manage, I made the decision to sign a two-year deal as an assistant and I’m still in that frame of mind to stay in that capacity.

“I’ve enjoyed it, it gave a lot of energy, the reaction of the players was outstanding. I think also as an assistant you are quite close to players, the past three months I spent a lot of time with the players and got to know the players very well as human beings but also as football players, where they are in that development and how I can help. I think that relationship now is helping.

“We are together and we want to achieve something together so that bond is there and that’s why I feel very supported. That gives a lot of energy and support, lots of confidence and energy and so far so good.

“I think the appetite to build further within this club is stronger than the other bit (to manage United). So for this moment, I made a deliberate decision to step into this role for two seasons and take it from there.

“And these four games haven’t changed that sentiment and that’s why I said from the beginning what my intentions were also after my interim job.

“I think that’s the results in itself will make [the players be more confident]. Its easier to manage a team that has won two of the last three and had a decent point at home against a good side.

“The connection with the fans is there, there’s a good feeling that we can turn things around. That’s what is happening at the moment. Of course football being football, especially in top flight football, results are necessary and the Sunday game in that is a big one.

“It was very important after I took over to stabilise the ship with results. All of sudden we’re three games further in that. It passes so quickly and the last one, that’s the one also where it will mean a lot.”

Van Nistelrooy will have no shortage of offers if he does leave United in the coming weeks. Not only has he impressed as interim boss, but is respected in the dressing room and won silverware during his one season as PSV Eindhoven manager. The pedigree is there for success at the highest level – like he achieved as a player for United and Real Madrid.

Hopefully, he can stay and continue to help the team.