Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy breaks silence after shock PSV departure

Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy has broken his silence after stepping down as PSV Eindhoven manager earlier this week.

Van Nistelrooy caused a stir in his native Netherlands after leaving PSV on Wednesday with one game of the Eredivisie still to go. Indeed, at the time a club statement said the 46-year-old felt he had a lack of support from the board.

The former United forward began his coaching career with the PSV youth teams a decade ago and was promoted to a first-team role in March 2022.

In his first full season at the helm, Van Nistelrooy’s men have won the Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup, while they require just a point from their final game to secure second in the league ahead of fierce rivals Ajax.

However, PSV are some ten points adrift of runaway leaders Feyenoord.

Van Nistelrooy opens up on PSV exit

While Van Nistelrooy appears to have departed PSV in acrimonious terms, the Dutchman was full of praise for the club when he finally broke his silence on his sudden resignation.

In an Instagram post, Van Nistelrooy said: “10 years PSV, what a wonderful ride!

“I was allowed to help youth players with great colleagues at the academy so that they could make the step to Jong PSV, PSV 1 or to professional football at another club. Countless players that I now proudly watch in professional football, from KKD, Eredivisie, PSV 1 and major leagues in Europe.

“For 5 years I gained experience as an assistant trainer and striker trainer while I obtained my diplomas in the meantime. This was followed by 3 years as head coach at U19 and 1 year at Jong PSV.

“And then the ultimate: becoming the head coach of PSV 1. Winning prizes for this wonderful club with great supporters.

“Thank you for your unwavering support everywhere we played! PSV will always be in my heart and I will always support the club and the team.’

In his 51 games in charge at the Philips Stadium Van Nistelrooy won 33 games and lost just eight times. Meanwhile, his side netted 126 goals in that time.

He has already been linked with a wide variety of jobs, including Real Madrid, Tottenham, Celtic and Inter Miami.