Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy has candidly opened up about his departure from PSV Eindhoven and linking up with one of the best managers in the world.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had a remarkable impact at Old Trafford as a player, entered the world of coaching after his legendary playing career ended in 2012.
The 47-year-old former Manchester United striker initially took up a coaching role at PSV Eindhoven Under-17s before he became assistant coach for the Netherlands.
Van Nistelrooy later became PSV Under-19s manager before the United legend landed his first role in the world of management.
The ex-Netherlands international succeeded Roger Schmidt as manager of the PSV first team in 2022 and took charge of the Dutch club in the 2022-23 season.
Van Nistelrooy achieved success during his first and only season as PSV manager, with the former United star leading the club to a Dutch Cup.
However, the former PSV and Real Madrid striker stepped down as the Dutch club’s manager before the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Van Nistelrooy has been out of management since his spell with PSV came to an end in 2023, but he has been linked with a return to the dugout in recent weeks.
Van Nistelrooy on his PSV exit
Ruud van Nistelrooy had fallen short of the Eredivisie title in his only season as PSV manager, with the Dutch club finishing seven points behind Feyenoord.
However, the Manchester United legend left the Eredivisie side before their final match of the 2022-23 season.
PSV confirmed in a statement at the time that Van Nistelrooy felt a “lack of support within the club” and would step down from his role with “immediate effect.”
Van Nistelrooy has now admitted that it would have been “impossible” for him to continue as PSV head coach due to his relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
“I stepped down with one game of the Eredivisie season to go,” he told the Coaches’ Voice.
“A head coach needs to be aligned with the board and the directors, and to know about plans for the future.
“When you’re not, it’s impossible to continue. But I had absolutely loved challenging myself against the best coaches, both at home and in European football.”
Van Nistelrooy on learning from elite manager
Van Nistelrooy has revealed that he has invested a “lot of moments” in being alongside other coaches in the world of football after his PSV departure.
He admitted that he asked former club Real Madrid if he could visit and received an invitation from Carlo Ancelotti, who is one of the best managers in the world.
Van Nistelrooy said that he “learned so much” from his time with Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and “attended every session” and “every meeting” he possibly could.
The former PSV boss also spent time with Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini, who coached Van Nistelrooy when he was a player at Spanish side Malaga.
“Since leaving PSV, I have taken the opportunity to invest a lot of moments in being with other coaches,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“I asked to go to Madrid, and Carlo Ancelotti invited me over for a week. I attended every session, every meeting, and learned so much from him.
“The club was fantastically open in receiving me; Raul was there too, training with Castilla, the second team, and Alvaro Arbeloa with the Under-19s.
“I also rang my old manager at Malaga, Pellegrini, who invited me over to Sevilla, where he is with Real Betis – and where my old teammate Isco is playing.
“These are all fantastic moments for me to learn again, you know?”