Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy has opened up about his brief but intense stint as interim manager at Old Trafford, following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag. The Dutch icon, who returned to United as an assistant in the summer, was thrust into the hot seat after a disastrous start to the Premier League season under Ten Hag.
Van Nistelrooy steadied the ship with victories over Leicester City and PAOK before Ruben Amorim took over. After leaving United, he was quickly snapped up by Leicester City following the sacking of Steve Cooper.
In his first press conference as Leicester's boss, Van Nistelrooy said: "It was a good period, short and intense.
"I was happy to help steady the ship. They're now on a run of good results. I enjoyed being responsible and getting a connection with the team. That felt great to do. I'm now in a position to do it again."
Prior to joining United's coaching staff, Van Nistelrooy had managed PSV Eindhoven, but he credits his time at United for landing him a role in the Premier League. "What happened after the games, the amount of interest that was there for me, I was astonished," he admitted.
"It was only four games. I had managed a full season at PSV and won the cup. I've been in coaching for a while. I had never got this reaction from the football world."
Van Nistelrooy expressed satisfaction at the response he received, saying: "It provoked this reaction and I was happy with that. I had conversations with different parties and made a decision that was right for me."
He now prepares for his first match as Leicester manager, a home game against West Ham on Tuesday night.
