“Erik ten Hag has left his post as coach of the Manchester United men’s first team. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and has led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and him wish you good luck for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, while a permanent head coach is recruited.Manchester United announced this Monday when dismissing their coach Erik ten Hag. From then on, the mission of rebuilding the Mancunian club while awaiting the appointment of a new number one – who should be Ruben Amorim – falls to Ruud van Nistelrooy. The 48-year-old technician will therefore have the chance to show his qualities and why not hope for better if he shows himself to his advantage and the file leading to the Portuguese coach becomes complicated. If the former Dutch striker who played for Manchester United and Real Madrid is known, his coaching career is a little less so…
He has already won trophies
Fired to 14th place in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag can boast of having brought the 2023 Carabao Cup and the 2024 FA Cup to Manchester United. Ruud van Nistelrooy (48 years old), who has only had one year as a professional, has also developed the ability to win trophies quickly. He already did it in his first official match on July 30, 2022 against Ajax Amsterdam with a 5-3 victory in the Dutch Super Cup. If he could not do better than a second place in the Eredivisie, the Dutch technician won another title against the Godenzonen on April 30, 2023 with the Dutch Cup (1-1, 3-2 in the Tab ). Solid results for a first season as number one coach.
He has a fairly distinct style of play.
We saw coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in practice for a year, but his style of play immediately appealed and proved effective. Focused on the offensive, he made his PSV Eindhoven 2022/2023 a scoring machine with 128 goals scored in 52 matches. “His team has a structure that is clear which is to attack to win matches. His best strength is transition and play on the ground», noted Monaco coach Philippe Clement who met him in the preliminary round of the Champions League. Adept of a 4-3-3 with a midfielder capable of evolving as a high point, he shares certain precepts with Erik ten Hag, at least what the latter achieved at Ajax Amsterdam. It remains to be seen whether he will manage to enforce them on the Manchester United side.
He knows how to shine a light on young people
During his time at PSV Eindhoven, Ruud van Nistelrooy revealed or gave another dimension to certain players. Among them, we obviously find Cody Gakpo. Excellent before Ruud van Nistelrooy became number one coach, the winger had an XXL first part of the season with 13 goals in 24 matches which led to his departure in the winter for 42 million euros. It was he who also definitively launched Xavi Simons (22 goals in 48 matches) and Johan Bakayoko (7 goals in 33 matches) into the professional world. The first became a Dutch international and returned to PSG before being loaned to RB Leipzig. For the Belgian winger, the latter is international with the Red Devils and will surely be the next big sale for the Boeren. We can also note that he helped Ibrahim Sangaré and Joey Veerman in their progress, as did English defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The latter who returned from the Netherlands after a successful loan and became essential to Everton and appeals to the English big names… Including Manchester United.
He took the time before launching his career
Two qualities will be difficult to attribute to Ruud van Nistelrooy, his patience and his ability to learn. Retired since 2012 and his time at Malaga as a player, the former striker took 10 years before taking charge of a first team. Deputy in the Dutch selection of Guus Hiddin, Danny Blind, Frank de Boer and Dwight Lodeweges, he also spent time with PSV Eindhoven. Coach of the attackers of the youth teams, he then gradually evolved until he had his chance as number one. His journey with the Red Devils is in the same vein, it remains to be seen whether this will be made to last, especially with the very probable arrival of Ruben Amorim…
He is already very popular with the group
Assistant to Erik ten Hag since the start of the season, Ruud van Nistelrooy has the advantage of knowing the Red Devils group. This is good, since he has a good popularity rating within the squad. Veterans like defender Jonny Evans and third goalkeeper Tom Heaton were captivated. “Ruud mentioned it. After leaving United he had a period where he went to Spain and he talked about the time he was under Manuel Pellegrini and real die-hard defensive coaches. I think he learned a lot and saw real added value in all of this. He’s probably quite obsessed with defensive structure himself and as you say, as a striker I’m sure it was always very interesting in terms of where he could score his goals. I think Ruud’s return was a good thing, especially for me.”noted Northern Irishman Jonny Evans during preparation.
