Former Oranje striker Ruud van Nistelrooy joins Dutch national team as assistant coach
Former Oranje striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is joining the national team’s coaching staff. It was announced on Friday that Van Nistelrooy will work as an assistant to the manager Ronald Koeman, before and during the World Cup this summer. He will begin the position on February 1.
It will be Van Nistelrooy’s third stint as coach for the national side. He has worked under Guus Hiddink and Danny Blind before returning to the coaching staff during the EURO 2020 tournament, which took place in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when Frank de Boer was manager.
“Coming back to the Dutch national team in this capacity is both a great honor and an exciting challenge. Doing so alongside this staff and a highly talented squad, and at a World Cup no less, makes it especially meaningful. Having worked in different roles, including as an assistant, I am confident this position fits me well. I look forward to making a valuable contribution and helping ensure a successful tournament,” Van Nistelrooy said after the announcement.
Van Nistelrooy has been without a job since he was sacked as manager of English club Leicester City in June. Prior to this, he had worked as assistant manager and interim manager at Manchester United, and as manager of PSV Eindhoven.
Koeman waxed lyrically about the former PSV, Manchester United, and Real Madrid striker. “Ruud has demonstrated that his distinctive style and footballing philosophy are a real asset to our staff. He knows what it takes at the highest level and offers significant tournament experience from his time as both a player and a coach. On top of that, his personality and working approach fit seamlessly with the staff and the squad.”
Nigel de Jong, the director for top-level football at the Dutch Football Association, cited Van Nistelrooy’s experience when explaining the decision to add the coach to the national team staff. “A major tournament demands a great deal from both players and staff. Our aim is to maintain high standards while still giving players the individual attention they need. Strengthening an already strong coaching team supports that goal, and by bringing Ruud in at this stage, he can be fully integrated into the build-up.”
Oranje play two friendlies against Norway and Ecuador in March before they start their World Cup campaign in Arlington, Texas, on June 14 with a game against Japan. Koeman’s side plays all three of its group games in the U.S., with other matches also being played in Canada and Mexico. Tunisia and either Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania. They will compete in the playoffs for this spot.
Van Nistelrooy was a prolific striker during his playing career, scoring 349 goals in 592 games for his club sides and 35 goals in 70 games for the national side, including seven goals in major tournaments.
