Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has rejected a number of job offers to coach in Europe – because he wants a crack at management in England.
Van Nistelrooy has been looking for the right opportunity since quitting PSV Eindhoven last summer after guiding the Dutch club into the Champions League and winning two trophies in his first season.
Heerenveen are the latest side to be disappointed after the 47-year-old turned down the chance to return to his former club as coach during the week. Van Nistelrooy was instrumental in Cody Gakpo’s development at Eindhoven before he moved to Liverpool last year, as well as Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.
And he said: “I have had offers from various clubs, also in my own country, but I would love to work in England or in Spain. I want to coach in a league where I have played, because in those countries I speak the language fluently. In my opinion, I have gained plenty of experience. I have gone through the ranks.
“I did the younger youth teams at PSV Eindhoven, I was coach of the under-21s and subsequently became manager of the first team. I have managed a lot of different players. I helped young talented players develop, let them grow, like Gakpo, Madueke (Johan) Bakayoko and Xavi Simons. I was able to support them in their development.
“It matters to me that it is a well organised club. I still want to work with young players, but ideally with a mixture of experienced professionals. I want to help them improve and bring a winning mentality. The latter is the most important thing. With my style of football.”
Van Nistelrooy was a prolific goalscorer in his five years at Old Trafford after moving to United from PSV in 2001. He was sold to Real Madrid and later starred for Hamburg and Malaga.
During his time at PSV, Van Nistelrooy won 33 of his 51 matches and lifted the KNVB Cup but decided to depart the club amid rumours of player revolt.
“Head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy announced this morning that he is leaving PSV,” the club said last May. “PSV regrets his decision and is grateful to him for winning the Johan Cruijff Shield and the Dutch Cup, and hopes to finish the season in second place.”
