- Ruud van Nistelrooy risks upsetting new Man United boss Ruben Amorim
- Van Nistelrooy emphasizes that he wants to become manager of the club in the future
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Ruud van Nistelrooy has said he has ambitions to become Manchester United’s permanent manager in the future.
Van Nistelrooy, previously assistant coach, has stepped in as interim boss after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
Ruben Amorim, who starts work at United on Monday, faces a decision on whether to retain Van Nistelrooy as part of his coaching staff.
When asked during his press conference whether he would like to manage United permanently one day, Van Nistelrooy said: ‘Of course.
“I thought about this a lot when I made the decision to come to United as an assistant coach, I thought about it a lot.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed his ambition to eventually manage Manchester United
Ruben Amorim, who starts at United on Monday, faces a decision about Van Nistelrooy
‘I knew that coming to Manchester United was a special occasion for me and I felt I wanted to be part of this journey with the club, including in an assistant role. “I had clear ambitions to lead, I decided to sign a two-year contract as an assistant and I am still in that frame of mind to continue in that capacity.”
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 games during his time as a United player, has enjoyed his return to the club.
During his time as interim boss, he has overseen wins against Leicester in the Carabao Cup and PAOK in the Europa League, as well as a draw against Chelsea in the Premier League. He will take charge of his final game at home to Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday.
He said: ‘I enjoyed it, it gave a lot of energy, the reaction from the players was excellent. I think that as an assistant you are also quite close to the players, over the past three months I have spent a lot of time with the players and got to know the players very well as people but also as football players, where they are in that development and how I can help. I think that relationship helps now.
‘We are together and we want to achieve something together, so that bond is there and that is why I feel very supported. That gives a lot of energy and support, a lot of confidence and energy and so far things are going well.
Van Nistelrooy worked as an assistant under Erik ten Hag before becoming interim manager
‘I think the willingness to grow within this club is stronger than the other part (to manage United). So at this point I’ve made a conscious decision to step into this role for two seasons and go from there.
“And these four games have not changed that sentiment and that is why I have said what my intentions were from the beginning, even after my interim job.”
Van Nistelrooy has management experience from his time at PSV, with whom he won the KNVB Cup.
United have struggled under Ten Hag this season and there is still plenty of room for improvement, with the club currently sitting 13th in the Premier League.
Amorim, who has won plaudits for his work at Sporting, will face plenty of criticism as he tries to improve United’s fortunes.
The 39-year-old has signed a contract with United until 2027.
Since the retirement of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, United have held numerous managerial positions, but success in the Premier League and Champions League has eluded them.