Rudd van Nistelrooy revealed he had talks with other clubs before opting for a return to Manchester United as confirmed by former teammate Wesley Sneijder.
The ex-United striker is set to join Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Old Trafford after being in the frame to be appointed as the new Burnley head coach. He had been sounded out to join Ten Hag as part of his overhaul of the coaching team at Carrington following the Dutchman’s contract extension.
Ten Hag will also be joined by goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar. Although the club are yet to confirm the news, Sneijder verified the move, telling talkSPORT: “Also Ruud van Nistelrooy, I just got the news that he will be involved so I think they can do a big job because they have amazing players at United. There has to be a team, they need time.”
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Prior to making a decision on his future, Van Nistelrooy had interest from the Premier League with Leicester City said to be interested following Enzo Maresca’s exit to Chelsea. He also turned down offers from Spain for a reunion at M16.
“I would really like to work in Spain, and I have had conversations with Spanish clubs,” he told Diario AS. “But also the other leagues in which I have played, I want to coach there too. In the Premier League, and the Bundesliga.”
The 49-year-old has previously managed PSV Eindhoven under-19s and Jong PSV before returning to Eindhoven to coach PSV’s first-team where he won the Dutch Cup in 2023.
Van Nistelrooy represented United for five seasons between 2001 and 2006, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances. He won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the League Cup with the Reds.