Ruud van Nistelrooy Opens Up About Disappointment Over Manchester United Exit

Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed his disappointment at departing from Manchester United after his successful tenure as interim coach.

However, he acknowledged the reasons behind new manager Ruben Amorim’s decision to bring in his assistants.

Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed Leicester City manager at the end of last month, went unbeaten in his four games in charge at United following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, having previously served as his compatriot’s assistant.

“I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt that I had to leave,” he told reporters on Monday.

“The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans. But in the end, I got my head around it because I also understood the new manager.

“I spoke to Ruben Amorim about it; the conversation was grateful, man to man, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities, which lifted my spirits.”

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals during his impressive five-year tenure at United before transferring to Real Madrid.

However, the former striker stated that he possesses the determination needed to assist 16th-placed Leicester in their fight against relegation.

“People see Real Madrid, Manchester United, but my first three seasons as a professional were in Dutch football with FC Den Bosch, so I know what it’s like to fight,” he added.