Ruud van Nistelrooy was a candidate for the Manchester United head coach role last week, but he has now accepted a role to join Ronald Koeman’s backroom staff with the Netherlands national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
It has been a busy two weeks at Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
After 14 months as United head coach, Amorim was given his marching orders following a run of poor results as well as a bizarre press conference when he publicly challenged Ineos.
Amorim’s job became untenable, but United wasted no time searching for a new head coach to take over until the end of the season, while Darren Fletcher stepped in as caretaker head coach for two matches.
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On Tuesday, eight days on from Amorim’s sudden exit, Michael Carrick was appointed head coach.
Carrick’s first game takes place against Premier League title contenders and rivals Man City on Saturday afternoon. The 44-year-old wants United players to raise their standards on the pitch, which is something United fans have demanded since the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign.
Ruud van Nistelrooy at the U20 World Cup
Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy becomes Netherlands assistant manager
It was a three-horse race to become United’s new head coach.
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Although Carrick came out on top, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a strong contender for the job, but it is understood that the Norwegian wanted a contract beyond the end of the season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was another candidate following a brief stint as one of Erik ten Hag’s coaches, as well as serving as an interim manager after the Dutchman was sacked in October 2024.
Just three days after Carrick got the role, Van Nistelrooy has been announced as Ronald Koeman’s new assistant manager for the Netherlands national team.
Van Nistelrooy will begin the position on February 1 to ensure he gets to know the Netherlands squad better before the World Cup this summer.
This means Van Nistelrooy returns to the national team for a third time in a coaching capacity, having scored 35 goals for his country as a player. He has worked under Guus Hiddink and Danny Blind before returning to the coaching staff for the European Championships in 2021 under Frank de Boer.
Speaking about the latest addition to his coaching staff, Koeman spoke highly of Van Nistelrooy, saying (via NL Times): “Ruud has demonstrated that his distinctive style and footballing philosophy are a real asset to our staff.
“He knows what it takes at the highest level and offers significant tournament experience from his time as both a player and a coach. On top of that, his personality and working approach fit seamlessly with the staff and the squad.”
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What has Ruud van Nistelrooy said about Netherlands return?
Although Van Nistelrooy has yet to break his silence on missing out on the United job, the 49-year-old is honoured to be part of Koeman’s coaching set-up.
“Coming back to the Dutch national team in this capacity is both a great honour and an exciting challenge,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“Doing so alongside this staff and a highly talented squad, and at a World Cup no less, makes it especially meaningful. Having worked in different roles, including as an assistant, I am confident this position fits me well. I look forward to making a valuable contribution and helping ensure a successful tournament.”
Van Nistelrooy has been out of work since he was sacked as manager of Leicester City.
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