The ex-Manchester United striker has had two permanent managerial positions - starting with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/2023 season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy on the touchline.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been out of work since leaving Leicester City.
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Former PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare had to be convinced to return to the club's training ground after discovering that manager Ruud van Nistelrooy had left his role.
The Manchester United legend took charge of the Dutch club between July 2022 and May 2023. In that time, he led them to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie, with the team also winning the Dutch Cup.
Despite the relative success, the ex-Netherlands striker stepped down from his role after just one season following a fall-out with the club's hierarchy.
While that decision reportedly went down well with some players, others didn't take it quite so well. Speaking just after Van Nistelrooy's decision to walk away, ESPN journalist Milan von Dongen highlighted Sangare's eye-catching reaction in particular.
"They had to get him out of there to get him back," he said. "He was furious about van Nistelrooy's departure. So there will also be talk within the group of players."
Not long after showing that reaction, Sangare completed a move away from PSV. The Ivory Coast midfielder was transferred to Premier League side Nottingham Forest, where he remains.
Just over a year after leaving PSV, van Nistelrooy returned to a coaching role with United, joining as Erik ten Hag's assistant manager. The sacking of Ten Hag just over three months later led to the one-time striker taking charge of four United games on an interim basis.
United went unbeaten in those four matches; winning three and drawing one.
Despite that, Ruben Amorim decided not to make van Nistelrooy part of his own backroom staff, with the coach leaving the club following the appointment of the Portuguese.
Van Nistelrooy wasn't out of work for long, joining Leicester City as manager just weeks later. He was tasked with saving the club from relegation to the Championship.
Ruud van Nistelrooy stands during training.
Ruud van Nistelrooy had an unsuccessful spell in charge at Leicester City.
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However, in his 27 games in charge, the Foxes managed just five wins and three draws. They finished the season in 18th position in the table, with the Dutchman sacked this summer.
He has since been criticised by striker Odsonne Edouard - who was on loan with Leicester from Crystal Palace - but failed to make an appearance under Van Nistelrooy.
He told L'Equipe: "Being a great striker doesn't necessarily mean being a great coach. At the beginning, I played a little [under Steve Cooper], then things didn't work out with Ruud van Nistelrooy. I didn't get along well with van Nistelrooy. I found myself blocked for seven months without playing."
Van Nistelrooy has been out of work since leaving Leicester. He was briefly linked with the FC Twente job back in September, but that vacancy has since then been filled by John van den Brom.