Ruud van Nistelrooy steps down as PSV Eindhoven boss with immediate effect over lack of 'support'

ByRob Hemingway

Updated 24/05/2023 at 14:05 GMT

Ruud van Nistelrooy only joined PSV Eindhoven as head coach in March last year, taking over from Roger Schmidt. But his tenure has lasted just over a year, with the ex-Manchester United forward - via a club statement - said to have cited a lack of "support" as the reason for his departure. PSV, under Van Nistelrooy, won the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB Cup this term.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has stepped down as PSV Eindhoven boss with immediate effect over a lack of "support", the club have announced.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Van Nistelrooy only arrived as head coach last March, but has taken his leave ahead of PSV's final Eredivisie game of the season against AZ Alkmaar on Sunday.

PSV currently sit in second in the Dutch top flight, with their final match set to decide whether they finish there, or in third place should Ajax catch them.

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Feyenoord won this season's Eredivisie title under the potentially Spurs-bound Arne Slot.

A PSV statement read: "Head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy announced on Wednesday morning that he would leave PSV.

"After several discussions about internal affairs that have taken place in recent weeks, a meeting took place on Tuesday evening between the board of directors and Van Nistelrooy. It was decided to keep the focus on next Sunday's match against AZ and to continue talking after the season.

"Van Nistelrooy reported this morning that in his opinion there was not enough support within the club to continue longer. He immediately explained this to the players and staff.

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"This Sunday, at the request of the management, Fred Rutten will temporarily take over his role as head coach.

"PSV regrets Van Nistelrooy's decision and is grateful to him for winning the Johan Cruyff Shield and the TOTO KNVB Beker this season and hopes to close the football year with second place."

After hanging up his playing boots in 2012, Van Nistelrooy took his first coaching job as assistant manager of the Netherlands in 2014. He spent two years in the role before coaching in the junior ranks at PSV for three years, combining that with another spell as assistant with the national team.

Van Nistelrooy

Image credit: Getty Images

The 46-year-old was promoted to the senior side following the departure of Roger Schmidt in March 2022.

Van Nistelrooy's tenure began with an exit from the Champions League play-offs at the hands of Rangers back in August, the Scottish outfit progressing 3-2 on aggregate.

PSV did qualify for the Europa League knockout round play-offs - finishing second in their group behind Arsenal - but lost out to Sevilla.

Van Nistelrooy spent five seasons as a player at Manchester United between 2001-06, scoring 150 goals in 219 total appearances.

In a stellar career, he also featured 96 times for Real Madrid and gathered 70 caps for the Netherlands between 1998-2011, scoring 35 goals.

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