Ruud van Nistelrooy exits Manchester United as Amorim takes over

The interim head coach leaves after leading United in four games as new manager Ruben Amorim arrives in Manchester.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s spell with Manchester United has come to an end, the club has confirmed a day after the Dutchman led the team to a 3-0 Premier League victory over Leicester City in his fourth game as interim manager.

Van Nistelrooy’s departure was announced on Monday as Ruben Amorim arrived in Manchester as United’s permanent boss.

“Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend,” the club said in a statement.

“We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford.”

United assistants Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel also left on Monday, with the Old Trafford club saying they would announce Amorim’s staff later.

The 48-year-old van Nistelrooy had steered United to three wins and a draw in all competitions since the sacking of Erik ten Hag, and the former United striker expressed several times that he hoped to remain with the club after Amorim’s arrival.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and three first-team coaches have departed the club with our best wishes for the future.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to United ❤️#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 11, 2024

On his arrival in Manchester, the 39-year-old Amorim was greeted with a hug from Chief Executive Omar Berrada.

The Portuguese is set to meet key staff until his visa is obtained and he can step onto the pitch as a coach. The club said the visa is expected shortly.

Van Nistelrooy joined ten Hag’s staff in the close season as an assistant before taking over as interim manager. He was serenaded by fans at Old Trafford after Sunday’s victory.

“That was the beauty of the moment in my opinion where, yeah, circumstances came together and it was a beautiful moment and it was gratitude from my side to them, and the reception I received was unbelievable,” the Dutchman said about the reception he got after Sunday’s game.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was one of the players who shone under van Nistelrooy, with four goals in four games after failing to score in his previous 17 under ten Hag.

Van Nistelrooy said he had helped restore stability and confidence in the club, who are 13th in the table with 15 points after 11 matches but only four points off third place.

“There’s a foundation in the past four games where there was strong unity, good spirit, players who were looking for results,” van Nistelrooy said on Sunday. “And we got four [positive results] and that was for me really important.”