RvN: I Could Never Turn Down an Invitation from Manchester United; Collaboration with Ten Hag Has Started Well

Recently, legendary striker Ruud van Nistelrooy gave his first interview with the official club website after returning to Manchester United, explaining his new role and responsibilities within the team, and expressing his belief that he and Haak will assist Ten Hag in restoring the prestige of Manchester United.

This summer, there have been significant personnel changes in Manchester United’s coaching staff. Ten Hag’s former assistants Van der Gaat and McClaren left the team successively, and Van Nistelrooy and Haak, the former coach of Forward Eagles, became the new assistant coaches of Manchester United. Although it might seem to some that Van Nistelrooy, who once led the PSV Eindhoven first team, taking on the role of assistant coach is a bit of a step down, Van Nistelrooy insists that when faced with an invitation from Manchester United, it was hard for him to say “no”.

In an interview with the Manchester United official website, Van Nistelrooy said, “To be honest, it feels very special to be back. I mean, when Manchester United offered me the opportunity to become an assistant coach, I thought it was great. I had never considered coming back in this capacity before, but when it happened, it was something I absolutely could not refuse. Then I flew to Manchester, returned to Carrington and Old Trafford, saw the changes in the city and what has remained the same, and it felt very, very special.”

Van Nistelrooy also talked about the division of labor between him and Haak, as well as the new changes occurring during the preparations for the new season. Van Nistelrooy said, “From a collective perspective, it’s important to integrate different phases of the game into the team’s daily training, such as expectations for performance in pressing, maintaining formation, midfield interceptions, or all phases of the game. Clarifying what we want to achieve, how we want to execute it, and how we can translate it into practice on the training ground. I think all three of us, the head coach included, agree on this point, then starting from training, seeking to make an impact on individuals or the team. We maintain consistent goals and opinions, aiming to return Manchester United to the ranks of the strong teams, and I believe we’ve already had a good start.”