Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to 'spark a fire' as Manchester United coach, tells Rio Ferdinand move was '100% right'
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ByOli Gent
Updated 24/09/2024 at 18:47 GMT
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand returned to Carrington with TNT Sports and caught up with a host of famous faces – including Sir Alex Ferguson, current manager Erik ten Hag and new first-team coach Ruud van Nistelrooy. The former striker, who spent five years at Old Trafford as a player, told Ferdinand that stepping away from management to coach was "100% the right decision".
Manchester United coach Ruud van Nistlerooy reacts during the warm up prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Barnsley at Old Trafford on September 17, 2024 in Manchester, England
Image credit: Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy says rejoining Manchester United as a first-team coach was "100% the right decision", despite managerial offers.
Van Nistelrooy, who played up front for United from 2001 to 2006, returned to Old Trafford in June to form part of Erik ten Hag's revamped coaching staff after the departures of Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy.
The former Netherlands striker had previously been in charge of PSV Eindhoven, but resigned with a game to go in the 2022/23 season.
Now, Van Nistelrooy - along with compatriot Rene Hake, who left his position in charge of Go Ahead Eagles - has put his managerial career on the back burner to assist Ten Hag.
Despite his coaching career only being in its nascent stages, he told ex-teammate and TNT Sports expert Rio Ferdinand that he had no doubts about joining United's backroom staff.
"It’s 100% the right decision," Van Nistelrooy told Ferdinand. "I felt a strong feeling that I want to help build United – little by little – back to where we feel and know where the club should be.
"I was on the managerial track. I managed PSV – an unbelievable experience – and I was in talks with clubs to manage, and I love it.
"I had my staff all ready, and then I had a phone call. I was like, ‘jeez’. I never thought of it as a possibility.
"Erik called me. I said I had to think about it, but I immediately felt, ‘wow’. I started to love the idea. Especially the big picture where it’s a new start with the new ownership and leadership. A phase where you start to rebuild and be a part of it.
"I just want to contribute to where the club should be and, little by little, bring it there. I hope when they reach it, it will be soon. I want to contribute. I feel a strong feeling that I want to do that."
Van Nistelrooy is in charge of overseeing team training sessions alongside Hake and former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who has stepped back from his previous role as technical director to focus on coaching.
"It was a good conversation with the manager about what my role would be," Van Nistelrooy explained.
"It was an important part with Rene [Hake] that we were responsible for the team sessions. It’s important to have good drills. We are also responsible for meetings on opponents and post-match meetings.
"I’m doing those [boring] meetings, but I’m making them fun now. I’m an emotional guy, so I [want to be] a part of winning.
"Is it about winning a football game? Or every day, day in, day out, habits, lifestyle, and becoming better and knowing who you play for?"
The Red Devils have failed to win the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, however Van Nistelrooy believes that he can play a part in instilling the United DNA into the current squad.
"It’s not [in the] job description [to help rebuild the culture], but I want to bring in [things like], ‘what is Man United’," Van Nistelrooy said.
"The players know, they’ve been here a long time, what it’s about. What it’s like to be seen on the pitch. It’s typical what United fans want to see. They want roughness in attacking and defending.
"You want to bring that across to spark a fire and the players are brilliant. They’re all committed, they’re all on board."
Van Nistelrooy and United are currently preparing to face FC Twente in the UEFA Europa League, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday evening.
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TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
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