Ruud van Nistelrooy pens heartfelt farewell message to Man Utd after departure
Ruud van Nistelrooy exited the club on Monday.
The former forward went unbeaten during his four matches as interim head coach.
Van Nistelrooy had hoped to be part of Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has sent a heartfelt goodbye message to Manchester United and the club’s supporters following the conclusion of his interim stint.
The club’s former prolific goalscorer returned to Old Trafford over the summer as part of a major structural reorganization to Erik ten Hag’s coaching team. When the Dutch coach was dismissed at the end of October after leaving United 14th in the Premier League standings, Van Nistelrooy was hurriedly thrust into the dugout while the club sought a permanent successor.
Respected Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim was named as Ten Hag’s enduring replacement on 1 November, but only on the understanding that he would remain at Sporting CP until the international break. Van Nistelrooy managed four fixtures during this uneasy interval, only drawing at home to Chelsea in between three triumphs, before he was let go on Monday.
In a social media post on Friday midday, Van Nistelrooy wrote: “To everyone at Manchester United Football Club, in particular the backroom staff, the players and the fans. I want to thank you from the depths of my heart for your tremendous efforts and encouragement.
Lisandro Martinez replies to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s message on Instagram: “A real big one! Thank you very much Ruud for this short time we were together, I learned a lot both personally and professionally, I wish you the best always.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/bKN6U63iJN
— MUFC Scoop (@MUFCScoop) November 15, 2024
“It has been a privilege and honour to represent the club as a player, coach, and manager, and I will always treasure the memories we have created together.
“Man Utd will always have a significant place in my heart, and I hope there are many more victorious days at Old Trafford very soon – not only because I want the club to succeed, but because you all merit it!
“All the best and take care, Ruud.”
The former PSV Eindhoven boss had made it entirely clear that he would have liked to remain at United and be part of Amorim’s coaching staff. Strangely, there was no communication between the incoming manager and United’s interim before Van Nistelrooy was released on 11 November, the same day that Amorim arrived at the club’s training facility for the first time.
Van Nistelrooy has already been associated with taking over at Championship promotion contenders Burnley, though Scott Parker remains in charge at Turf Moor after replacing Vincent Kompany, who joined Bayern Munich, in the summer.