Recently, Manchester United legend and current assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy wrote a column for The Guardian reflecting on his career and the experiences he gained from managers like Guus Hiddink, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Robson, and Carlo Ancelotti. He also shared his admiration for his former rival in the Eredivisie, Arne Slot.
Van Nistelrooy stated, “I started coaching in the youth academy at PSV Eindhoven, then after the 2014 World Cup, I joined the Netherlands national team under Guus Hiddink. He has managed Real Madrid, Chelsea, and many national teams with great success, so working with him was a great experience. I learned a lot.”
Van Nistelrooy emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with players, drawing from the experiences he gained under Robson and Ferguson: “The most important thing is the relationship you have with each individual. Sometimes you have to be tough, push them, and find the balance. But the most important thing is to always be honest, direct, and share your thoughts.”
As a coach, van Nistelrooy has witnessed the growth of many talented players: “You are very proud when you see young players develop. Cody Gakpo went to Liverpool, Noni Madueke joined Chelsea… and then there’s Xavi Simons. He trusted the plan and the process we had, and in the end, he had an unbelievable year – he became the top scorer in the Eredivisie and played in the World Cup for the Netherlands, all down to him.”
Van Nistelrooy reveals, “In the Eredivisie, I enjoyed the battles with Arne Slot (now Liverpool manager). His style is very clear, he has a clear idea and built Feyenoord around it. They build from the back, and they do it so well. Against him, you have to make sure your pressing is right and you have to face huge pressure in your own half, so you have to be organized. Slot has proven himself in the Netherlands, and I believe he can have great success in the Premier League.”
Van Nistelrooy also recounts seeking advice from Ancelotti before joining Manchester United: “After leaving PSV, Carlo Ancelotti invited me to Real Madrid for a week. I attended every training session, every meeting. I learned a lot from him.”
While currently serving as an assistant coach at Manchester United, van Nistelrooy doesn’t rule out the possibility of becoming a head coach in the future: “Maybe one day I will take that step, prove that I can do it. It would be a great challenge!”
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