How an unexpected call from Ten Hag changed coaching path for Van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy has explained how a phone call from Erik ten Hag changed his managerial plans ahead of being offered a coaching role at his former club Manchester United.
The addition of Van Nistelrooy to the coaching staff at Carrington has went down passively amongst the players, although people will be expecting Ten Hag to get more out of his attacking players in coming months.
United are finally keeping clean sheets, but suffered a scoreless draw with Crystal Palace at the weekend, missing far too many opportunities in the process.
Van Nistelrooy said he had held talks with several other clubs with a view to continuing his career as a head coach, having left his position as PSV Eindhoven manager 18 months prior. However, turning down United was not an option he was willing to take.
“This is 100 per cent the right decision,” Van Nistelrooy told TNT Sports. “I felt a strong feeling that I want to help build United little by little back to where we feel and know where the club should be.”
That is the talk of a legend wanting to build on his legacy.
Van Nistelrooy wasn’t the only Dutch addition to Ten Hag’s backroom staff over the summer, including Rene Hake.
He explained that he was not expecting a call from United this summer.
“I was on a managerial track. I managed PSV, it was an unbelievable experience.
“I was in talks with clubs to manage and I love it [managing]. I had my staff all ready and then I had a phone call. I never even saw this as a possibility. Erik called me and talked it through. I started to love the idea.”
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