Ruud van Nistelrooy has fallen into a depression following his departure from Manchester United, according to close friend and former Netherlands teammate Andre Ooijer.
The Dutchman was replaced from his temporary role by new head coach Ruben Amorim, who opted to bring in his own backroom staff after joining United from Sporting CP.
Van Nistelrooy had stepped in as interim manager for four games following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, leading the team to an unbeaten run during his brief spell in charge.
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According to The Mirror, Van Nistelrooy turned down multiple managerial offers to remain at United, a club he holds close to his heart.
Ooijer revealed that Van Nistelrooy had hoped to stay as Amorim’s assistant and was deeply saddened by the decision to part ways.
“Ruud wanted to stay as assistant. He would have said something if he wasn’t interested in working with Amorim,” Ooijer explained.
“Ruud has had the chance to be manager or head coach at other clubs, but he deliberately did not take those jobs because he wanted to work at the club he loves most.”
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“You could tell the fans liked him so much. You only had to watch how they reacted to him after his last match,” Ooijer added.
“If Amorim does not get the right results in the first few games, the crowd could start calling again for Ruud.”
Van Nistelrooy’s spell as United manager saw the team secure a draw against Chelsea and three wins, earning praise from fans for his strong leadership during a difficult period.
While Van Nistelrooy has been linked with a potential move to Championship side Burnley, his passion for United remains clear.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim is preparing United for their next Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town after the international break.
Amorim’s start at Old Trafford has come with high expectations, and the decision to part ways with a club icon like Van Nistelrooy will only increase the noise on the Portuguese manager.
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