How Ruud van Nistelrooy has shaped a new career in coaching

Friday 12 July 2024 10:24

Ruud van Nistelrooy needs no introduction for his footballing ability and he is rightly still revered by everybody at Manchester United for his outstanding spell here between 2001 and 2006.

A legendary centre-forward with an incredible appetite for goals, he ended up with 150 in 219 games for the Reds.

However, he returns to join Erik ten Hag's coaching team and his work in this field may be lesser known to those in this country.

All The Goals: Ruud van Nistelrooy Video

All The Goals | Watch Ruud van Nistelrooy's 150 United finishes to remind yourself of his greatness...

Van Nistelrooy opted to move into coaching when his stellar playing career ended with a stint at Malaga in Spain.

He started learning the ropes at former club PSV Eindhoven, taking sessions with the Eredivisie side's Under-17s and then worked extensively on the striker department for the younger age groups. In the summer of 2014, he enjoyed the incredible experience of assisting Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink at the 2014 World Cup finals. The Dutch side finished third in the tournament in Brazil, losing a semi-final shootout to Argentina after a 0-0 draw.

However, they subsequently failed to qualify for Euro 2016.

In terms of his development, the position was crucial for van Nistelrooy, who told The Coaches' Voice: "I learned so much and it was the best thing that could happen in that phase of my career as a coach."

Continuing to ply his new trade with PSV, he managed the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League after previously coming across United in the competition in 2015, when a young Marcus Rashford was captaining Nicky Butt's team.

In addition to his Under-19s job domestically, he again jumped at the chance to work with his country, this time at Euro 2020. Ronald Koeman was in charge as Ruud helped coach the side to three wins to top Group C, only for the Dutch to crash out to Czech Republic in the knockouts.

A taste of senior management presented itself, when he replaced Roger Schmidt at the PSV helm in March, 2022. There was success as the Eindhoven giants won the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield in the following year.

Hence, his decision to step down with a game to go in the Eredivisie, with PSV in second place, was a big surprise, as he cited a lack of support within the club.

"A head coach needs to be aligned with the board and the directors," he commented. "And to know about plans for the future. When you’re not, it’s impossible to continue."

Since then, he has continued to learn more about his new passion. Time was spent analysing Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, another of his former clubs, and Real Betis, coached by his ex-Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini.

He is set to have a reunion with ex-Manchester City boss Pellegrini, when the Reds take on Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium, in San Diego, as part of Tour 2024.

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