Ruud van Nistelrooy 'lined up' for shock new job after manager sacked and it's not Leicester

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been lined up to take a surprise new job outside of the Premier League after leaving Manchester United.

Van Nistelrooy returned to United as an assistant coach to Erik ten Hag in the summer after first leaving the club as a player in 2006.

The Dutchman then took over as interim manager following Ten Hag's sacking last month, but left after discussions with new boss Ruben Amorim.

Van Nistelrooy was quickly linked with the vacant managerial post at Championship side Coventry City, who controversially sacked former United striker Mark Robins earlier this month.

But the Sky Blues have reportedly reached an agreement to appoint Chelsea legend Frank Lampard instead.

He has also been linked with Leicester after the Foxes sacked Graham Potter - but it is a job inside Europe that he appears most likely to get.

According to Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Van Nistelrooy is one of the leading contenders to take over at Hamburg, who currently play in Germany's Bundesliga 2.

Hamburg are one of German football's biggest clubs but have been unable to return to the top flight since being relegated from the Bundesliga for the first time in their history in 2018.

Excluding caretakers, the club have had six managers since then, with latest incumbent Steffen Baumgart being sacked on Sunday after a 2-2 draw with Schalke.

Hamburg are in eighth and only four points from top spot, but haven't won any of their last five matches in all competitions.

Van Nistelrooy did have a spell at Hamburg as a player, scoring 17 goals in 44 matches between 2010 and 2011.

Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrates scoring for Hamburg against Borussia Dortmund (Image: Getty)

The Dutchman would retire from professional football in the summer of 2012 after a brief spell with Malaga.

After leaving United, he published a message to supporters in which he 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 bottom of my heart for your incredible efforts and support.

"It has been a privilege and honour to represent the club as a player, coach and manager, and I will always cherish the memories we have shared together.

"Manchester United will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope there are many more glory days at Old Trafford very soon - not only because I want the club to do well, but because you all deserve it!"