Topics: Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSV, Eredivisie, Football, Netherlands, Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is being lined up as PSV’s next manager, according to reports in the Netherlands.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 games for United between 2001 and 2006, is currently head coach of the Dutch club’s reserve side, Jong PSV, having previously been in charge of their U19 side.
The 45-year-old is now the first choice to replace PSV’s current manager Roger Schmidt, according to Dutch outlet ED.
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Schmidt has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season after failing to agree terms on a new contract.
PSV are currently second in the Dutch Eredivisie, two points behind league leaders Ajax.
Van Nistelrooy, who played for PSV before joining United, has also previously worked as an assistant coach for the Netherlands national team but has never held a senior managerial role.
Earlier this season, he admitted it was too early for him to take the top job at the Phillips Stadion.
“I can be clear about that now. I will not go through to the first-team of PSV,” Van Nistelrooy told ESPN.
“I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I think we should continue to follow the trajectory that we have agreed upon.
“The ambition and the drive are there, but it is too early now.”
Nevertheless, Van Nistelrooy is said to have the backing of former Everton director of football Marcel Brands, who will become PSV’s new chief executive in the summer.
The report adds that if Van Nistelrooy does take the role, he will be assisted by a more experienced coach, with former PSV boss Fred Rutten being considered for the role.
Rutten, 59, was PSV manager between 2009 and 2012, and was most recently in charge of Belgian club Anderlecht, who he left in 2019.
Van Nistelrooy began his playing career at Den Bosch before moving on to Heerenveen in 1997. He would later join PSV, scoring 77 goals in 90 games for the club before securing an £18.5m move to United in 2000.
A successful five-year spell at Old Trafford would follow, with Van Nistelrooy winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield during his time in Manchester.
He would later join Real Madrid in 2006, winning La Liga twice at the Bernabeu.
Spells at Hamburg and Malaga would follow for the striker before he eventually retired in 2012 at the age of 35, having also scored 35 goals in 70 games for the Netherlands.
