Recently, Manchester United legend and current assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy published a lengthy piece in The Guardian. In it, he discusses what he learned from renowned coaches like Guus Hiddink, Sir Alex Ferguson, Bobby Robson, and Carlo Ancelotti, as well as his enjoyment of facing off against Arne Slot while in the Dutch league. Here are some excerpts.
Van Nistelrooy points out: “I initially coached at PSV’s youth academy, and after the 2014 World Cup, I joined the Netherlands national team under Guus Hiddink. Hiddink has had great success coaching Real Madrid, Chelsea, and several national teams. Working with a coach of his caliber was a fantastic experience, and I learned a lot.”
Van Nistelrooy emphasizes what he learned about interacting with players from Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson: “The most important thing is the relationship between the coach and everyone. Sometimes you have to be strict, put pressure on them, and it’s vital to maintain balance. But above all, always remain honest, direct, and share your thoughts.”
As a coach, Van Nistelrooy has helped nurture many talented individuals: “When you see young players develop, you feel incredibly proud. Cody Gakpo moved to Liverpool, and Noni Madueke joined Chelsea… and then there’s Xavi Simons, who trusted our plan and process. Ultimately, he had an incredible year – becoming the top scorer in the Eredivisie and representing the Netherlands at the World Cup – all due to his own efforts.”
Van Nistelrooy reveals: “In the Dutch league, I enjoyed battling Arne Slot (current Liverpool manager). His teams had a distinct style, and his ideas were very clear. He built Feyenoord around these concepts, organizing their play from the goalkeeper up. When facing him, you had to ensure your pressing tactics were correct, and you faced significant pressure even in your own half. As such, you needed to organize yourself properly. Slot proved himself in the Netherlands, and I believe he can achieve great success in the Premier League too.”
Van Nistelrooy also mentions seeking advice from Carlo Ancelotti before joining Manchester United: “After leaving PSV, Carlo Ancelotti invited me to spend a week at Real Madrid. I attended every training session and meeting, learning a lot from him.”
Now an assistant at Manchester United, will Van Nistelrooy become a head coach in his own right someday? He says: “Maybe one day I’ll take that step and prove I’m capable of doing it. It would be a great challenge!”