Ruud van Nistelrooy ‘closing in on shock return to English football’ with the Man United legend lined up to become the new manager of Championship side

Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly close to agreeing a deal to become the new manager of Championship side Burnley.

The 47-year-old has emerged as the favorite to replace Vincent Kompany after the Belgian joined Bayern Munich following the Clarets’ relegation to the second tier of English football.

Van Nistelrooy has been out of the management since he parted ways with PSV at the end of the 2022/2023 season.

Former England internationals Frank Lampard and Scott Parker have also been linked with the job, while Craig Bellamy is the current acting head coach.

But Dutch outlet The Telegraphclaim a multi-year contract is close for Van Nistelrooy to return to English football – 18 years after leaving Old Trafford during his playing career.

Van Nistelrooy left England 18 years ago after playing for Man United between 2001 and 2006.

Van Nistelrooy is favorite to replace Vincent Kompany who joined Bayern Munich

During his time at Manchester United he scored 95 goals in 150 Premier League games, before later playing for Real Madrid, Hamburg and Malaga before retiring in 2012.

Van Nistelrooy won the Johan Cruyff Shield and the Dutch Cup in the 2022-2023 season, with a team that included Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.

At Burnley there are said to be several issues to resolve, including the future of United’s former Dutch striker Wout Weghorst.

The striker has returned from a loan transfer in Germany with Hoffenheim and still has a year left on his contract with Burnley.

In an interview with AS Sport, Van Nistelrooy expressed his desire to work in the Premier League in the future.

He said: ‘I would really like to work in Spain and I have had discussions with Spanish clubs. But I also want to coach the other competitions in which I have played. In the Premier League and the Bundesliga.’

To reach the Premier League, Van Nistelrooy would first have to overcome the challenge of the Championship when he takes up the Burnley job.

Burnley finished 19th with 24 points in the recent season, despite dominating the Championship with 101 points the year before.

Van Nistelrooy has been out of action for over a year after leaving PSV in May 2023

Burnley were relegated to the Championship after one season back in the top flight

The Clarets have already appointed Henrik Jensen as first-team assistant coach, having previously managed Kalmarr FF in Sweden and Danish side Midtjylland.

‘It just felt like a good match after good conversations. It just felt like we fit together,” Jansen said.

‘I have followed this great, historic club. The style of play, the facilities and Turf Moor… I’ve seen matches and the atmosphere just seems great.

“It will make me very proud to step onto that field.”