Van Nistelrooy: Will I become a head coach? Let’s see in two years

In the 10th round of the Premier League, Manchester United will host Chelsea, and the club's official website has released part two of interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy's pre-match press conference.



Following Ten Hag's departure, Van Nistelrooy has taken on the role of United’s interim head coach until the new head coach, Amorim, takes over on November 11. Van Nistelrooy led United to a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and is now preparing for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea. In the second part of the press conference, Van Nistelrooy was asked about topics including his future, Ugarte, Zirkzee, and some former United players who are now commentators.

Reporter: Ruud, I know you’ve said your top priority is focusing on the task at hand, then returning to your role as assistant coach. In the long term, though, what are your career plans? Do you see yourself becoming a head coach again in the future?

Van Nistelrooy: That’s a good question. Clearly, for all the reasons I’ve explained before, I believe this is the only time I’d accept a position as an interim head coach in an assistant role. What’s most important to me is gaining experience over these two years and then deciding if this work satisfies me. So far, I must say, I really enjoy this role. I genuinely do.

Reporter: As an assistant coach?

Van Nistelrooy: Yes, as an assistant coach.

Reporter: Is it simply because you’re at Manchester United, rather than any other club as an assistant?

Van Nistelrooy: Obviously, for Manchester United, it’s a significant decision. That’s why I’m in this role, and I can fully commit to being an assistant coach here. I’m doing this work with a great sense of pride, and I truly enjoy it. I’ll continue to enjoy it, and after two years, we’ll see how things stand.

Reporter: All the players now have three matches to showcase themselves and prove they deserve a place in the new head coach’s lineup. In a way, does this apply to you as well? Are you, too, showing that “I’m here, and while every head coach may bring their own staff, consider keeping me”? I know you have a contract, but things can change…

Van Nistelrooy: Obviously, things can change; we all know that. But we’ll see. I don’t think about proving myself in that way. I’m here to help the club and to do my best for them. The club is the most important thing, and our focus is on winning on Sunday. Everything else is outside my consideration.

Reporter: Can I ask about Ugarte? Can you explain why you think the club signed him and why he may not have had much game time so far? And, from your experience, does he have enough confidence to succeed at a club with the pressure of Manchester United?

Van Nistelrooy: I have complete confidence in Ugarte and believe he will become an excellent player for Manchester United. I thought he did very well yesterday and showed great potential in the match against Fenerbahçe. It’s cautious to make judgments so early for players who’ve been here only a few months. He’s a very high-level professional, skilled at reclaiming possession and helping us transition to attack. He has strong ball control, so I think he’ll be an outstanding addition to the club.

Reporter: People connect Ugarte with Amorim, who coached him previously, but was he someone you and Ten Hag were particularly interested in bringing to the club?

Van Nistelrooy: Recruitment isn’t an assistant’s role, but I can comment on working with Ugarte daily. He’s adapting, eager to become part of this club, and highly motivated. He’s improved with each performance, and yesterday’s match was good. We have a thin midfield, so we’ll definitely need him in the upcoming games, and I think he’ll perform well.

Reporter: You were an exceptional striker yourself. What do you think of Zirkzee’s development? What are his strengths, and what does he need to improve?

Van Nistelrooy: Zirkzee’s situation is similar to Ugarte’s. He joined as a young player with immense potential. He’s a classic number 9 with strong ball control and link-up play, quite different from Højlund. Rasmus (Højlund) is more of a forward-playing 9, preferring to run in behind defenders, while Zirkzee is more about receiving the ball and creating play. He did well in the Crystal Palace match, one of his best performances, showing his talent and potential. With proper care and time, he’ll only improve and could become a standout player for the club.

Reporter: You probably understand better than anyone here that at Manchester United, even in the best times, external pressure is intense, let alone when there’s a managerial change. Plus, you’re facing former players who are now prominent commentators like Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, and Owen Hargreaves. These people all have opinions about the club, sometimes harsh ones. As a coach coming into this club, do you think it’s fair to face such severe criticism from players who’ve achieved success here? And if you lose to Chelsea, are you ready for potential criticism from these former teammates?

Van Nistelrooy: We’re all doing our jobs, aren’t we? Fundamentally, they care about the club, want it to improve, and feel disappointed when it doesn’t perform well. That’s perfectly fine with me. I don’t take it personally. When I see them, I’m happy to grab a coffee with them. I appreciate them as former colleagues, and I still keep in touch with some. It’s the path they’ve chosen—some are more involved in football, and I’m fine with that.

Reporter: Would it be a problem if they turned their attention on you?

Van Nistelrooy: Ultimately, you’re always judged. I thought yesterday went well and received positive feedback. But things can change in football. I don’t believe in the hype or drama. Staying calm and focused on the job daily is what matters to me. That’s the same for the club; we won’t turn things around in a day, but I’m confident the future will keep improving.