Van Nistelrooy keen to return Man Utd assistant role under Amorim

Ruud van Nistelrooy is keen to become Manchester United manager one day but says he wants to return to his role as assistant coach under new boss Ruben Amorim.

Having returned to Old Trafford as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants in the summer, he has stepped up as caretaker head coach since his compatriot was sacked last month.

Van Nistelrooy has overseen victories over Leicester City in the EFL Cup and PAOK in the Europa League, drawing his other game against Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Foxes are the visitors once again to Old Trafford in the Dutchman’s final game in charge on Sunday before Amorim takes the reins the following day.

Asked if he would like to manage the team he scored 150 goals for during his playing days, Van Nistelrooy said: “Yeah, of course.

“I thought this through well when I made the decision to come to United as an assistant manager or assistant coach,” Van Nistelrooy said.

“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 in also 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.”

A fourth consecutive home game awaits on Sunday #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/8Q47KBVU4U

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 9, 2024

The 48-year-old does have managerial experience, too. He was previously the manager of PSV Eindhoven, winning the Dutch Cup in his only season in charge.

During his short tenure in the Netherlands, he won 34 of his 50 games in charge (D8 L8), scoring 126 goals and ending with a win percentage of 66.67%.

Van Nistelrooy is under contract with United until 2026, but question marks have been raised over his future with Amorim set to bring in his own staff.

But he insisted that this weekend’s sole focus is on ensuring that United are in the best possible shape for Amorim’s impending arrival at Old Trafford.

“I called it an important period because I think it was important to get through the four games as good as we could,” said Van Nistelrooy.

“I think we’ve done very well so far. The players have reacted very well in the games.

“The focus now is to build on that and show that on Sunday, with a big game ahead and a massive three points that are there to win.

“I don’t know if it will be very emotional. I take it very pragmatically as well, although I am proud to be able to fulfil this. We’ll see how I feel on Sunday.”

And while this may be Van Nistelrooy’s second Old Trafford farewell, he has reason to be confident of ending his latest Red Devils stint on a high.

United have lost just two of their last 17 Premier League games against Leicester (W10 D5), with those defeats coming consecutively in May and October 2021.