Ruud van Nistelrooy has rejoined Manchester United as an assistant to manager Erik ten Hag, marking a significant coaching reshuffle at the club.
Van Nistelrooy, who enjoyed five prolific seasons as a striker at United after joining in 2001, scored 150 goals and ranks 11th on the club’s all-time list.
However, his departure was controversial, following a fallout with then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Van Nistelrooy has been out of work since quitting as PSV Eindhoven manager just before the end of the 2022-23 season, despite winning the Dutch Cup. His departure from PSV was attributed to dissatisfaction among players with his coaching methods.
The 48-year-old will be joined by Rene Hake, who has resigned from his role as Go Ahead Eagles boss, to become an assistant manager at Manchester United. Both have signed contracts running until 2026, aligning with Ten Hag’s recent contract extension.
“I am delighted Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge, and new energy to the staff,” said Ten Hag. “Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level.”
The return of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, a club legend, alongside Hake, is seen as a strategic move to infuse fresh perspectives and enhance the team’s performance.
