Ruud van Nistelrooy will have “mixed emotions” when he leads Manchester United for the first time as interim coach on Wednesday night.
The former striker — who scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for United as a player — was appointed on an interim basis following Erik ten Hag’s sacking on Monday.
He returned to his former club in the summer as an addition to Ten Hag’s coaching team following a spell in charge of PSV Eindhoven.
The 48-year-old will now take over for “however long I am asked to do so” as the club work to find Ten Hag’s permanent successor.
The Athletic reported on Monday that they are working to appoint Ruben Amorim, the Sporting Lisbon head coach, with the Portuguese club on Tuesday confirming United’s interest and the presence of a €10million release clause in the 39-year-old’s contract.
Van Nistelrooy will take great pride in taking the reins at Old Trafford against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night but admits he remains “saddened” at Ten Hag’s exit being the reason he will do so.
“As I am sure everyone can imagine, I am writing these notes with a huge amount of mixed emotions,” he said in a message to supporters in the matchday programme.
“Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United in the summer and, while I have only been part of the coaching staff here for a few months, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity, and I am saddened to see him leave.
“Even on an interim basis, it is a great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so. I can promise that I will continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try to turn around our fortunes.”
Ten Hag lost his job after winning just four of the campaign’s first 14 matches in all competitions.
The Dutchman’s final game in charge was a defeat, away at West Ham United on Sunday, a result which left United 14th in the Premier League.
Van Nistelrooy won a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup during his playing career in Manchester and believes the current squad have what it takes to return the club to those heights.
“When I returned in the summer as Erik’s assistant, it was because I believe that Manchester United can climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player. I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work,” he added.
“The first step is to restore the winning habit, starting at Old Trafford this evening. I know first-hand the positive effect that our wonderful fans can have on the team, so please get behind the players as we fight together to move a step closer to Wembley.”
(Top photo: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
