Ruud van Nistelrooy officially named Netherlands coach

Manchester United’s recent managerial upheaval has kept several familiar names circulating around Old Trafford, with past legends once again linked to roles behind the scenes.

The club’s decision to appoint a caretaker instead of committing to a long-term solution has fuelled constant debate about experience, identity and leadership.

Former players with deep ties to the club have inevitably been drawn into the conversation, especially those who have already stepped into coaching roles.

While one name ultimately missed out on a return to the dugout in Manchester, his reputation across Europe has remained strong.

That standing has now been underlined by a prestigious international appointment ahead of this summer’s biggest tournament.

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has officially joined the Netherlands national team coaching staff from 1 February, as announced on their website, marking another significant chapter in his post-playing career.

The 49-year-old will become an assistant to national head coach Ronald Koeman as preparations intensify for the upcoming World Cup.

His arrival will expand the Dutch backroom team to three assistants, alongside Erwin Koeman and Wim Jonk, as the Oranje fine-tune their plans for the tournament.

For Ruud van Nistelrooy, the appointment represents a familiar return, having already served the national team in a coaching capacity on two previous occasions.

He was part of the staff during Euro 2021 and had earlier worked as an assistant between 2014 and 2015, adding further international experience to his CV.

As a player, Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a prolific international career, earning 70 caps for the Netherlands and scoring 35 goals across three major tournaments.

At club level, he built his legacy with spells at PSV, Manchester United and Real Madrid, becoming one of Europe’s most feared finishers.

After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into coaching, returning to PSV to work with the club’s youth setup before stepping into a senior head coach role.

His career then brought him back to England, where he worked as an assistant and interim head coach at Manchester United, before later taking charge of Leicester City.

During United’s recent search for an interim manager following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, Van Nistelrooy was among the names discussed internally.

However, the club ultimately opted for Michael Carrick, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also overlooked, leaving Van Nistelrooy to consider opportunities elsewhere.

Speaking about his new role with the Netherlands, Van Nistelrooy said: “Returning to the Dutch national team in this role and representing the Netherlands with this staff and talented squad is a tremendous honor and a wonderful challenge for me.

“The fact that this is happening on the stage of a World Cup makes it extra special.

“With my experience in various roles, including that of assistant, I know this position is a perfect fit for me.

“I look forward to making a valuable contribution and contributing to a successful tournament.”

While Manchester United chose a different path, the appointment underlines Van Nistelrooy’s growing stature as a coach, and ensures a familiar Old Trafford figure will still play a prominent role on the world stage this summer.