In December, Ruud van Nistelrooy was clear about his future. He is in his first season as head coach in professional football and wanted to stick to it for another year. But after Roger Schmidt’s departure, the Jong PSV trainer does not immediately close the door to the first team.
Schmidt announced on Thursday that he will say goodbye to PSV after this season. Shortly after the announcement, great speculation started about the succession of the German trainer. Van Nistelrooy’s name is often mentioned.
The former striker appeared in front of the ESPN camera before the Jong PSV match against Helmond Sport. The reporter started the interview with the comment that he had only come to Eindhoven with one question. Van Nistelrooy started to laugh.
Is he open to the step to the first team? That was the question that followed. “I expected that question about being a trainer, because it is current. I let you know in December what my ideal trajectory looks like. A new situation is now emerging, also for the club. Things will be discussed.”
“I am someone who has a certain idea of how things should work,” continues Van Nistelrooy. “I said that in December and that’s how I stand. A new situation is now emerging, we can talk about that.”
There is no talking yet. Of course Van Nistelrooy has contact with many people within the club, but his focus was on the matches against Helmond Sport and Jong Ajax. “I said: we have a game on Friday and Monday. Then we’ll look further.”