Ruud van Nistelrooy Reflects on Pain of Leaving Manchester United
Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted it “hurt” to leave Manchester United after a brief stint as interim manager but says he understands why there was no place for him in new coach Ruben Amorim’s staff.
The former United striker returned to Old Trafford in the summer, 18 years after leaving as a player, to serve as an assistant coach. He later stepped in as interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October. Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in five seasons at the club between 2001 and 2006, received a warm welcome from fans, particularly during four successive games at Old Trafford.
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However, his future at the club became uncertain after Amorim’s appointment. The Portuguese coach arrived with new ideas and five staff members from Sporting CP, leaving no room for Van Nistelrooy on the coaching team.
“When I took on the interim job, I said I was here to help United, and I meant it,” Van Nistelrooy said during his first press conference as Leicester City’s new manager. “So yes, I was very disappointed, and it hurt to leave. But I eventually came to terms with it because I understand the new manager’s perspective. I’ve been in football long enough to know how these things work.”
Van Nistelrooy revealed he had a constructive conversation with Amorim about the decision. “I spoke to Ruben, and it was a good discussion—man to man, manager to manager. It helped me process everything and focus on new opportunities, which quickly lifted my spirits.”
Now beginning a new chapter as Leicester City’s manager, Van Nistelrooy finds himself in a role he might have indirectly influenced. Leicester’s previous manager, Steve Cooper, suffered heavy defeats against Van Nistelrooy’s United during two of his final four games in charge.
Reflecting on his short interim spell at United, Van Nistelrooy expressed surprise at the level of interest it generated in his managerial abilities. “The response to those four games was overwhelming, far beyond anything I had experienced in my coaching career so far,” he said, clearly energized for the challenge ahead.