There has been an element of ‘surprise’ abut Ruud van Nistelrooy’s imminent return to Manchester United.
Not because the Red Devils legend is not deserving of a place on Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff. Far from it.
But because, after proving himself as a head coach of considerable potential in the PSV Eindhoven hotseat, a backseat role – even at a club of Manchester United’s size and ambition – may be viewed by some as a backwards step in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s career path.
The 2003 Premier League winner even turned down the head coach role at Burnley in favour of an assistant position at his beloved United.
“It surprised me a bit, because Ruud is ambitious as a head coach. That’s how I experienced him,” Fred Rutten, who worked alongside Van Nistelrooy during the 2022/23 season at PSV, tells ESPN.
“But I think he would be excellent at this (new role at Old Trafford). He also fulfilled this role at the Oranje, so why not?”
Ruud van Nistelrooy set for Manchester United return
As Rutten alludes to, this will not be Van Nistelrooy’s first spell assisting a more experienced manager in the dugout. The former Real Madrid poacher spent some time alongside the veteran Guus Hiddink with the Netherlands.
His appointment by the Oranje, however, came a decade ago now.
Whether a backseat role at Man United in the here and now is the right step for Van Nistelrooy’s career is up for debate. Rutten is convinced, though, that one Erik ten Hag can only benefit from the addition of a few new faces and a few sharp minds to his coaching staff.
United are also close to bringing in another Dutchman in Go Ahead Eagles boss Rene Hake.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy is a legend. Rene Hake is a name that is less appealing, but he is very skilled. That is probably what Erik needs,” adds Rutten.
“It speeds up processes. (With more top-level coaches) you don’t need three months to clarify your working method. With these kinds of clubs you don’t have that much time. The focus is on ‘match, match, match’. That’s a rollercoaster. It goes so fast.”
Rene Hake also set for Old Trafford role
Van Nistelrooy led a PSV side containing the £70 million-rated Man United target Jarrad Branthwaite to Dutch cup glory in 2023. Hake, meanwhile, is a renowned overachiever on the Eredivisie stage, guiding an unfancied Go Ahead Eagles to a very impressive ninth place finish last term.
Hake and Ten Hag go back two decades. It was Ten Hag who played a major role in Hake’s appointment in FC Twente’s youth ranks back in 2005.
“(Van Nistelrooy) sees the game well. He can provide excellent training in the sense that he has a goal in mind, and then achieves that goal,” Rutten explains. “If he gives a message, (the players) don’t just take it for granted, they take it very seriously.
“But Rene Hake can do that very well too. In that respect, they fit together well.
“Everywhere he has worked, the team is good. Rene is very skilled in training theory, you can see that. “His teams are always quite fit.
“That can be an added value for Erik.”
Romano, writing on X, reports that the documents are now being prepared to confirm Van Nistelrooy and Hake’s arrivals.
