Rio Ferdinand has offered his thoughts on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s departure from Manchester United.
The Dutchman took temporary charge of the Red Devils following Erik ten Hag‘s dismissal last month, having returned to his former club as an assistant in the summer on a two-year contract.
Despite going unbeaten in his four-match spell as interim head coach, winning three, the club announced on Monday that van Nistelrooy would not be part of new boss Ruben Amorim‘s coaching team.
His exit came on the same day that Amorim officially stepped into his new role, following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Fellow coaches Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel were also confirmed to have left alongside the former United striker.
In their place, the Portuguese coach is set to be joined by assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro as well as goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira.
The new recruits all worked with Amorim at Sporting, while former Red Devils midfielder Darren Fletcher will remain part of the coaching staff as a technical coach.
And while the decision not to keep Van Nistelrooy at the club shocked many, United legend Ferdinand gave a possible reason.
Discussing whether his former teammate would stay on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand argued that his popularity at Old Trafford could act as a potential hindrance to Amorim.
As well as overseeing a fruitful spell in temporary charge, the 48-year-old scored 150 goals in 219 games for the English giants, and lifted the Premier League title in 2003.
He said: “I would keep him, 100 per cent, but I think it’s so difficult.
“I think [for] the manager it’s not an easy transition to go in and have, sitting next to you on the sideline at Old Trafford, one of the most prolific strikers [in the club’s history].
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“The fans love him. They loved him before [his interim spell], they love him even more now.
“And any turns of results or bumps in the road, they’ll say to get Ruud in as a manager.”
After taking interim charge of the Red Devils, Van Nistelrooy revealed that he planned to return to his role as assistant manager once the club had chosen a permanent head coach.
Speaking last month after his first game at the wheel, he said: “After this I go back to my assistant contract I have here for this season and next.
“I am very motivated to stay here and help the club forward.”
Whilst in his role as caretaker boss, the former Netherlands international oversaw wins over Leicester in both the Premier League and EFL Cup, as well as a 2-0 Europa League victory against PAOK.
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His only dropped points came in a league fixture against third-place Chelsea, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Despite his impressive run, however, Amorim’s arrival now means the Dutch coach will continue his coaching journey elsewhere.
And Ferdinand believes that vVn Nistelrooy has more than earned the right to be considered for managerial vacancies elsewhere following his stint in charge at United.
He said: “I think, when those jobs come up now, he’s going to be on that list.
“And I think if I’m him, I go: ‘I’m not at West Ham, but when these jobs come up, if I want to go, I’m going, do not stand in my way. Because I’ve earned the right’.
“He’s managed in Holland [at PSV], he’s done four games here. I know it’s only a short term, but he’s shown that he can actually galvanise a dressing room.”
