Ruud van Nistelrooy to depart Manchester United following interim ...

11 Nov 2024

Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s arrival as head coach.

The former United striker returned to Old Trafford in the summer to work under Erik ten Hag and was installed as interim head coach following his compatriot’s sacking on October 28.

Ruud van Nistelrooy - Figure 1
Photo The Athletic

Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League win against Leicester City capped an unbeaten four-match stint in charge. Van Nistelrooy had previously overseen wins over the same opponent in the Carabao Cup and PAOK in the Europa League either side of a Premier League draw with Chelsea.

Amorim was named as Ten Hag’s permanent successor on November 1 and his first match will be the Premier League trip to Ipswich Town on November 24.

The makeup of Amorim’s coaching staff is yet to be confirmed but the club have confirmed that Van Nistelrooy will not be part of it.

A United statement announcing Van Nistelrooy’s departure said: “Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend.

“We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford.”

Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel have also the left club.

GO DEEPER

What I know about Van Nistelrooy and his relationship with United

Amorim said on Sunday he planned to hold talks with Van Nistelrooy regarding his United future on Monday.

Asked by The Athletic about Van Nistelrooy’s role, the new United head coach said: “About a legend of the club. He did a great job. I have to talk with him tomorrow (Monday). Then I will explain everything. I am very clear and I will tell you like it is. Let’s wait until tomorrow (Monday).”

Van Nistelrooy previously spent a year in charge of PSV Eindhoven but departed one game before the end of the 2022-23 season.

Before joining United in the summer, he held talks with Burnley over replacing Vincent Kompany as head coach.

The former Netherlands international scored 150 goals in 219 games for United between 2001 and 2006 before spells at Real Madrid, Hamburg and Malaga.

Sunday’s victory over Leicester means United head into the final international break of the year 13th in the table, four points off the Champions League qualification places.

(Carl Recine/Getty Images)

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Laurie Whitwell worked for the Daily Mail from 2010, covering midlands football for the last five years, including Leicester’s remarkable Premier League triumph. Whitwell was nominated for sports scoop of the year at the 2019 SJAs for breaking Wayne Rooney’s move to DC United. He will be reporting on Manchester United for The Athletic. Follow Laurie on Twitter @lauriewhitwell

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