What happened to Van Nistelrooy? A legend on his way to coach

Ruud, in some language of the world, must mean goal. And in Madrid, Manchester, Hamburg and even Malaga attest to this. Van Nistelrooy was a one-of-a-kind striker, because it is difficult to find a figure that brings together so many “how good it was…” among so many hobbies, regardless of old rivalries. On June 30, 2012, he hung up his boots on the Costa del Sol, but he was by no means disassociated from football. After training as a coach, obtaining the maximum license at European level (UEFA Pro), and being second in the Dutch National Team (both with Hiddink and De Boer), he began his solo career: he is currently coach of the PSV subsidiary.

His career as a footballer began when he was very young. The first steps were taken in the Margaret Youth, a humble club just 6 kilometers from his native Geffen. He quickly made the leap to a larger club, with a presence in the Eredivise, like the Bosch, whose training camp was 20 kilometers from home. In this way he was able to reconcile his studies with his soccer growth, because he played in the different categories of the club until he reached the age of majority. At the age of 18, he made the jump to the first teamwhere he played three seasons until being signed by the Heerenveen in exchange for one and a half million euros. He played it all the only season he defended his colors: 37 games to score 14 goals. He prostrated himself at the zenith of promises. And it became a reality.

So much so that he PSVIn 1998, he disbursed 7 million to get his services. In the old Philips Sportpark it exploded like a supernova, becoming an idol for the fans in three seasons. And is not for less… He scored 77 goals in 90 games! Thanks to them, the Dutch team lifted two League titles and two Super Cups. That boom sounded throughout Europe, starting a bid that won the Unitedhis next season in exchange for almost 35 million pounds (approximately 29 million euros). Was Diablomember of a team of legends with Cristiano, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs or Rooney. He also shared a dressing room with Piqué and another Spaniard, goalkeeper Ricardo. He scored 150 goals in 219 games to lift a Premier, a Community Shield, an FA Cup and a Football League Cup. In addition, he was top scorer on one occasion (2002-03, beating Henry, Owen and Anelka, among others).

Stage in Spain

The summer of 2006 reached the Real Madrid, who paid 15 million to get his services. He played four seasons for white, in which he scored 64 goals. Some, mythical: his header against Zaragoza the night of Tamudazohis blow in minute 1 of a derby at the Calderón or, according to LaLiga, the best of his career in domestic competition, a volley against Valencia in the Bernabéu. In white he won two Leagues and a Super Cup. The winter of 2009 headed for the Hamburgwhere he was about to win the Europa League (then called Europa League). They reached the semi-finals and were eliminated by Fulham, who ended up losing the final against Atlético de Madrid. with the elastic red pants he played 44 games and scored 17 goals.

And from there, to Malaga. Or rather, to ‘EuroMálaga’. Your last stop before hanging up your boots. A team for eternity that reached the Champions League quarterfinals… And they could have been semi-finals, if it weren’t for the famous ‘robo de Dortmund’with a goal from Santana clearly offside in the 92nd minute that brought down Pellegrini’s men in the cruelest way. Apparently, they would have been drawn by Real Madrid in the last round before Wembley. Van Nistelrooy spent that season in the shadow of Baptista and Rondón, more starters, but he played 32 games (none in the Champions League) and scored five goals. The last of his career was on April 9, at La Rosaleda, against Racing (3-0). Two months later he announced his withdrawal in an emotional press conference. She left him on the Costa del Sol.

From the grass to the benches

But it took very little to start his new stage: coach. After attending the different levels, he obtained the UEFA Pro license, which allows him to manage any team, both professional and national team level. In 2014 he became assistant coach of the Netherlands, under Hiddink’s tutelage. It was in 2016 when he began his solo career, rising through the lower categories of PSV: Under-17, Under-18, Under-19… Until you reach the subsidiarywhere it is currently. He was also assistant coach to Frank de Boer during the build-up to Euro 2020. He arranged it.

The sports director of PSV, John de Jongopened the door to the elite a few weeks ago: “Ruud is ready to be a professional team coach”. The possibility of making the leap to the first team, currently under the baton of Roger Schmidt, is on the table. Also to receive a European offer. He, for the moment, continues to work with the subsidiary, ninth in the Dutch Second. “I love transmitting my football ideas”confess. “The time has come to take the step to a professional bench“, too. It’s a matter of months. ‘Mister Van Nistelrooy’ is already here.