“I find it incomprehensible”: Dutch media urges Ruud van Nistelrooy to reject Man United coaching role | OneFootball

A section of Dutch media has encouraged Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy to turn down the prospect of returning to the club as Erik ten Hag’s assistant.

Last weekend, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano relayed that Van Nistelrooy had been approached to join Ten Hag’s backroom staff.

This revelation was followed up by a report which stated that the 47-year-old is very tempted by the prospect of becoming the latest addition to United’s coaching set-up.

There are doubts over the future of Benni McCarthy and Mitchell Van der Gaag at Old Trafford. McCarthy’s contract is set to expire at the end of the current month. Ten Hag wants United to offer the South African a new deal but that has not been forthcoming so far.

Meanwhile, it’s believed that Sir Dave Brailsford is keen on getting rid of Van der Gaag and replacing him with someone else.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Van Nistelrooy’s appointment in a coaching capacity at United is inching closer, with both parties very enthusiastic about reaching an agreement soon.

However, Dutch journalists Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen have expressed their concerns with Van Nistelrooy choosing to become an assistant to Ten Hag when he has an offer on the table to become the next manager of Burnley.

Verweij said on De Telegraaf ‘s Kick-Off podcast (via Soccernews), “Van Nistelrooij is a great at Manchester United. But yes, the reason why he is brought in that direction by Ten Hag is of course to be an extra shield for Ten Hag. Of course, Van Nistelrooij should never want that.”

Driessen remarked, “I think his name was mentioned there once when Ten Hag started working there (in 2022, ed.), but he didn’t like it at the time. He always showed himself to be very ambitious and was ready for a job as a head coach, preferably in a competition in which he had played.”

“So then you end up in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and England. Then you can become head coach of Burnley, who are good for former players. And he is working on his way and would like to return to the Premier League. Then I find it incomprehensible that you would choose a position as Erik ten Hag’s first, second or third assistant, while you could become head coach of Burnley.”

Verweij added, “The only thing you do by going to Manchester United is increase Ten Hag’s credit. Are you going to let yourself be used for that, in quotes?”

Driessen explained that the only reason that would validate Van Nistelrooy’s decision to go back to United is if there’s a contractual agreement for the former striker to succeed Ten Hag. This is however very unlikely.

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