Ruud van Nistelrooy, a Manchester United great, has pushed himself back into managerial discussions following a successful interim tenure at Old Trafford, with Southampton allegedly a target due to their sluggish start to the Premier League.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 95 Premier League goals in just 150 games for United at the start of the century, was brought to Old Trafford by Erik ten Hag as his right-hand man, but after Ten Hag was fired, Van Nistelrooy was brought in to steady the ship while the club worked out details for Ruben Amorim. After a strong performance, he has been connected with several roles, including one at Southampton.
Van Nistelrooy ‘Keen’ on Southampton Job Opening
He would throw his name into the hat if Russell Martin left
According to Football Insider, Van Nistelrooy wants to stay in the Premier League, with probable managerial opportunities at Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Crystal Palace.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s managing statistics as Manchester United’s interim manager
Fixture
Result
Leicester City (Home), League Cup
5-2 W
Chelsea (Home), Premier League
1-1 D
PAOK (H), Europa League.
2-0 W
Leicester City (Home), Premier League
3-0 W
Russell Martin is under pressure at Southampton after only winning one and drawing one of his first 11 games, Wolves are two points back following a recent mini-revival, and Palace are the season’s surprise team, having won only one of their first 11 games.
However, while Van Nistelrooy is eager to return to the top division after impressing in the United hot seat, it is uncertain whether Premier League teams would contemplate a move for the Dutchman, despite his desire to pursue a career as a manager in England.
According to the source, Burnley had already held negotiations with Van Nistelrooy in the summer before Ten Hag stepped in, and he had been connected with the Coventry City position following Mark Robins’ resignation earlier this month. However, with Martin under intense pressure and reports earlier in the window indicating that Saints would not be put off by the cost of changing managers, it’s one to watch, with Van Nistelrooy clearly eager to climb the English managerial ladder.
The Dutchman managed PSV Eindhoven for a season, winning 33 of his 51 games in charge in all competitions before leaving with the Dutch Cup at the end of the season – but having failed to find work since, the Dutchman has put himself back in the shop window with three wins from four and a draw against Chelsea for United in the wake of Amorim’s arrival.
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