"Welcome home", "We are being serious again" - Fans react as Manchester United appoint club icon in assistant manager role
Manchester United fans expressed their excitement after the club announced the appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy as the new assistant manager to Erik ten Hag.
The club via its website on Thursday, July 11, confirmed the addition of Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake to the men's senior team coaching staff until June 2026.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, makes his return to the club 18 years after leaving to join Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Dutchman enjoyed a prolific five-year stint with the Red Devils. He recorded 150 goals and 30 assists in 219 appearances, winning the Premier League as well as other domestic cup competitions.
The former Dutch international also holds the record for the club’s highest goal-scoring rate in European competitions. He most recently managed PSV Eindhoven in the 2023-24 season. Van Nistelrooy led the club to a second-placed finish in the league and won the Dutch Cup before stepping down at the end of the season.
Van Nistelrooy's return to Old Trafford adds valuable expertise to the club's coaching department and this has excited fans. Following the announcement, they took to X to share their delight.
One fan posted:
"Welcome home."
Another fan wrote:
"We are being serious again."
A third fan reacted to Ruud van Nistelrooy's appointment, writing:
"With Ruud van Nistelrooy and René Hake on board at Manchester United, the rest of Europe should be afraid. We are going for the QUADRUPLE next season. Glad to have Ruud return to his favourite team."
"Hojlund & Zirkzee learning from Ruud 🥹," wrote a fan.
Below are more reactions that followed Manchester United's announcement of Van Nistelrooy as the new assistant manager:
Erik ten Hag expresses delight at new coaching appointments at Manchester United
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is excited to have fellow countrymen Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake as part of his coaching staff. Reacting to the latest appointments, the manager said (via the club's website):
“I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff. Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level.”
Manchester United will hope to better their performances from the previous season with this latest revamp of their coaching department. Although they wrapped up the season by clinching the FA Cup, the overall performance from the team was below par. The Red Devils finished eighth in the league and crashed out in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.