Ruud van Nistelrooy has done well as interim Manchester United manager, with two wins and a draw under his belt, ahead of his final game in charge against Leicester on Sunday.
With Ruben Amorim then set to take over, likely bringing members of his backroom staff from Sporting Lisbon with him, Van Nistelrooy has reiterated his desire to stay on at United to work alongside the new manager.
I thought this through well when I made the decision to come to United as an assistant coach. I thought that through. I knew that coming to Man Utd was for me a special occasion where I felt I want to be part of this journey with the club, in an assistant role. I have clear ambitions to manage. I made the decision to sign a two-year deal as an assistant and I’m still in that frame of mind, to be fair, to stay in that capacity.
I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed it. It gave a lot of energy. I think the reaction of the players was outstanding. I think also as an assistant, you are quite close to players. So the past three months I spent a lot of time with the players and got to know them very well, as human beings but also as footballers, where they are in their development and how I can help. And I think that relationship, that is helping now that we are together and we want to achieve something together. That bond is there. That’s what I feel, very supported. So that gives a lot of energy and the support of the fans obviously, that was amazing. That gives also lots of confidence and energy, so, so far so good.
Van Nistelrooy was asked at the press conference what lessons he has learnt from being the interim United manager.
I think I’m so focused on getting the best out of the players and with the staff members, and all together we’re working on getting United back on track in the short term, that I’ve not really reflected on that, to be fair. Of course, I learn a lot in the time that I’m here, from other coaches and from players, with the experience there is, and with the opinions they have. So I think overall the knowledge about training sessions, managing individuals and teams, I think overall now I think about it, is something that really benefitted me as a coach.
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