Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy with staff at the Blue Haven, Kinsale ahead of Cork Opera House show.
Picture: The Blue Haven on Facebook
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy with staff at the Blue Haven, Kinsale ahead of Cork Opera House show. Picture: The Blue Haven on Facebook
Manchester United’s legendary former striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy was pictured dining in a well-known Kinsale establishment before his Cork Opera House event on Sunday.
Ruud was pictured with staff at the Blue Haven Hotel in Kinsale in a social media post that garnered a huge reaction online.
Along with the picture, the post reads:
“A huge honour to welcome the incredible Ruud Van Nistelrooy to The Blue Haven today. One of the all-time greats and such a pleasure to have dine with us.”
The former Netherlands international has shared dressing rooms with some of the best footballers of a generation including Cork’s Roy Keane and Denis Irwin at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, both at Manchester United and Real Madrid, and World Cup winner Iker Casillas.
Owner of the Blue Haven Hotel, Ciarán Fitzgerald, told The Corkman it was an “honour” to have Ruud drop into his establishment on a sunny Kinsale day.
"I’m a Manchester United fan and I grew up watching him play, and the exact words I used when I spoke with Ruud was ‘you are like a magician on the football pitch’ and it was a lovely honour to have him for lunch,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
The hotelier added that Ruud was very generous with his time to his staff, as well as customers and guests.
"First and foremost, Ruud was very happy to take pictures with the guests and the staff – he is a friendly and kind gentleman, to be honest,” Mr Fitzgerald added.
Since retiring from football in 2012, the lethal finisher has managed Manchester United on an interim basis following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, as well as PSV Eindhoven and Leicester City on a permanent basis.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kleberson, Liam Miller, John O'Shea, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and Quinton Fortune of Manchester United share a laugh during a pre-season training session in Vale do Lobo, Portugal. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kleberson, Liam Miller, John O'Shea, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and Quinton Fortune of Manchester United share a laugh during a pre-season training session in Vale do Lobo, Portugal. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
He is now the assistant manager of the Dutch national team under Ronald Koeman.
Ruud was in Cork for an evening focused on the legendary striker’s trophy laden career, titled Ruud Van Nistelrooy, which was held in Cork Opera House.
Ruud thanked those who attended his shows in Cork and Manchester on social media by saying:
“Special nights in Manchester and Cork. Thanks for your support, it was unforgettable!”