Manchester United approach club legend to join Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff: Reports

Manchester United have reportedly approached Ruud van Nistelrooy about joining Erik ten Hag's new backroom staff. The legendary former Red Devils striker is linked with the Burnley managerial vacancy.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Van Nistelrooy is a strong candidate to replace Vincent Kompany. The Dutchman has been out of a job since parting ways with PSV Eindhoven in last year.

Van Nistelrooy, 47, spent just short of one year in charge of PSV at Philips Arena from July 2022 to May 2023. He oversaw 34 wins in 50 games and guided them to the KNVB and the Dutch Super Cup.

Manchester United are set to make their changes to their backroom staff this summer amid an INEOS-led overhaul. Ten Hag will remain in charge after the club's owners decided to continue with the FA Cup-winning coach.

Van Nistelrooy is a United legend who knows the club well from a memorable five-year spell at Old Trafford during his playing days. He posted 150 goals in 219 games and starred under Sir Alex Ferguson.

---

"A fantastic challenge" - Ruud van Nistelrooy on wanting to follow Manchester United's Ten Hag's footsteps

Ruud van Nistelrooy waxed lyrical about Erik ten Hag.

Van Nistelrooy named Ten Hag as one of several Dutch coaches he admires and wants to reach the level of. The former PSV coach told the Coaches Voice:

"There is a long history of great Dutch coaches, and I have so much admiration for the careers they have had. Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal, Guus Hiddink, Dick Advocaat, and now of course Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot."

A strong Dutch contingent of coaches have arrived in the Premier League over the years. Ten Hag is joined by Arne Slot in the English top flight after the former Feyenoord boss replaced Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Louis van Gaal previously managed Manchester United, Guus Hiddink was a former Chelsea manager, and Martin Jol previously took charge of Tottenham Hotspur. Van Nistelrooy uses the success of past and present Dutch tacticians as motivation:

"It is motivational for me to continue learning, to continue improving myself, and maybe one day make the steps to show I am capable of that. It’s a fantastic challenge, and I’m looking forward to taking it on."

Van Nistelrooy started his coaching career as Hiddink's assistant manager and worked in the role at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He then headed to PSV and worked his way up from the youth academy to the senior team.

'Van Gol' could eventually take a similar journey towards becoming Manchester United manager. He earned plaudits at PSV with his brand of football and helped bed in young talents such as Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and United target Jarrad Branthwaite.