United’s former top scorer leads the team temporarily until a permanent replacement is in place.
– It hurt that he had to leave, Van Nistelrooy said of Ten Hag’s firing at a press conference ahead of the weekend’s home game against Chelsea.
The 48-year-old was brought back to Old Trafford this summer as an assistant by Ten Hag. On Monday, the Dutch collaboration ended after only a few months.
– From the first conversation we had, I felt that he really cared and wanted to take this club forward. That’s why we found the tone, Van Nistelrooy added of his compatriot.
Ten Hag won both the league and the FA Cup with Manchester United during his just over two years at the club, but in the Premier League and the European Cups his performances fell sharply after an uplifting debut season.
– There are things you sometimes cannot explain. I remember the goal we scored against Brighton, and then we conceded 1-2. “There have been so many games that we felt we could have got more out of, but results are part of our job,” Van Nistelrooy said the day after leading United to a 5-2 win over Leicester in the League Cup.
Ruben Amorim is expected to become the new manager of Manchester United. Earlier this week, Sporting Lisbon confirmed their interest in buying the Portuguese out of contract.
It is not clear whether Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue, but he himself has a clear desire to continue in an assistant role.
– I am very motivated.
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