Leicester City head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has opened up on his talks with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim ahead of his Old Trafford exit.
Ruud van Nistelrooy made his sensational return to Old Trafford in the summer after he became a part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United.
However, Erik ten Hag oversaw a shocking start to the 2024-25 Premier League season with United and the former Red Devils boss was axed in late October.
Van Nistelrooy, who was assistant manager under Ten Hag, was installed as United interim manager ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival from Sporting CP.
The 48-year-old United legend oversaw three wins and one draw during his four-match reign before the start of the November international break.
Amorim did not retain Van Nistelrooy for his United coaching staff and the former Red Devils assistant manager made his exit from Old Trafford in November.
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Leicester City Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy during the Leicester City Training Session at Seagrave Training Complex on December 02, 2024 in Leiceste...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Man Utd legend Van Nistelrooy on Amorim
Ruud van Nistelrooy made his stunning return to management in late November after he inked a deal with Premier League strugglers Leicester City.
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Leicester had sacked Steve Cooper after only 12 Premier League matches this season and Van Nistelrooy now faces a tough task ahead of him at the Foxes.
Van Nistelrooy, who signed a contract until June 2027 at the King Power Stadium, will take charge of Leicester against West Ham at home on Tuesday evening.
Ahead of the West Ham clash, Van Nistelrooy opened up about his time at Manchester United and his exchange with former Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim.
The former United and Netherlands striker admitted that he had a wholesome conversation with Amorim and it helped him a “lot to move on.”
“The moment I took over the interim job what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it,” Van Nistelrooy said, as per BBC Sport.
“So, I was disappointed, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave.
“In the end, I got my head ’round it because I also understand the new manager. I’m in football long enough and I’ve managed myself. I understand.
“I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him, the conversation was grateful, man to man, person to person, manager to manager.
“That helped [me] a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits.”
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Van Nistelrooy was a man in demand
Van Nistelrooy claimed that he was left a “little bit astonished” after the interest that was sparked in him following his work as United interim manager.
“I have to say there were offers there and possibilities. It’s good to have them and look and be critical on where you’re going to work,” he said.
“What happened after the games and the amount of interest, the options that all of a sudden were there for me and the options that came along, I was a little bit astonished.
“I went into conversations with Leicester because I thought, having spoken to other people, it was a great opportunity to get to know each other.
“It was a good feeling and, in the end, both parties felt it. That was a good reason to start working together.”
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