Manchester United are set to confirm the return of club icon Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is reportedly already in the UK and ready to get to work in pre-season.
He scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2006, winning three trophies including the 2003 Premier League title.
Van Nistelrooy is an exciting addition to Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff as part of INEOS’ structural shake-up, with Go Ahead Eagles boss Rene Hake also on course for Carrington.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group have overseen significant change off the pitch, appointing a new chief executive, sporting director, technical director and a director of global talent.
Work has since shifted to reshape Ten Hag’s backroom staff, which is set to see at least two prominent figures from his first two seasons in charge depart.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Van Nistelrooy and Hake will both help make up the 54-year-old’s new-look bench, adding to the Dutch contingent he has already formed at Old Trafford.
The report adds that the former has already signed a two-year contract and is in Manchester, ready to be unveiled as one of Ten Hag’s assistants.
Burnley had named Van Nistelrooy their priority managerial target to help guide them back to the Premier League after last season’s relegation.
But United swept in for his services, and he opted to return to the club where he scored 150 goals in 219 appearances from 2001 to 2006.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, has made a promising start to his senior coaching career after working in PSV Eindhoven’s U17, U19 and U21 set-ups and as Guus Hiddink’s assistant for the Netherlands national team.
He was appointed PSV manager in March 2022, lifting the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB Cup in his only full season before resigning due to a lack of support.
Meanwhile, Hake, who worked with Ten Hag in the FC Twente youth system and has remained a close friend, guided Go Ahead Eagles to their best Dutch Eredivisie finish in 15 years last term.
The 52-year-old has already confirmed that he is set to reunite with his old colleague at United.
“The feeling I have is difficult to describe, but this is, of course, a great opportunity for me,” Hake told Voetbal International.
(Express)
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