'I had my staff all ready' - Ruud van Nistelrooy's admission before accepting Man Utd job

Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted he'd assembled a coaching team in preparation for a new management role prior to rejoining Manchester United as a coach. The Dutchman is United's new interim manager after was dismissed on Monday, in the wake of the team's 2-1 loss to West Ham over the weekend.

The defeat leaves the Red Devils languishing in 14th in the Premier League, with a single victory in their last eight matches across all competitions. Van Nistelrooy has now been given temporary control until a permanent replacement is found, after initially joining the coaching staff under Ten Hag. The 48-year-old is already a United legend, having scored 150 goals for the club during his playing career, and made his return to Old Trafford as a coach in June.

The Premier League winner was part of a restructured coaching team, with his fellow countryman Rene Hake joining backroom staff, taking over from the departing Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy. The move was unexpected for Van Nistelrooy, who clinched the 2023 KNVB Cup as PSV Eindhoven manager before stepping down.

In an interview with his ex-team-mate Rio Ferdinand last month, the Dutchman confessed he was on the brink of a managerial comeback before receiving an unexpected call from Ten Hag to return to United.

"It's 100% the right decision," Van Nistelrooy told TNT Sports regarding his decision to return to United in the summer. "I felt a strong feeling that I want to help build United little by little back to where we feel and know where the club should be.

"I was on the managerial track. I managed PSV an unbelievable experience and I was in talks with clubs to manage, and I love it. I had my staff all ready, and then I had a phone call. I was like, 'Jeez'. I never thought of it as a possibility.

"Erik called me. I said I had to think about it, but I immediately felt, 'Wow'. I started to love the idea. Especially the big picture where it's a new start with the new ownership and leadership. A phase where you start to rebuild and be a part of it."

Van Nistelrooy's role in Ten Hag's team saw him oversee training sessions and be responsible for opposition and post-match meetings alongside Hake and ex-teammate Darren Fletcher. Given United's dismal league performance last season, Van Nistelrooy's presence has led some to speculate that he could be in line to succeed Ten Hag.

According to sources from the Netherlands reported by the Daily Star, the former striker's debut as interim manager will come in Wednesday's clash with Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. However, reports suggest that Van Nistelrooy may hesitate to accept the managerial position at United on a permanent basis due to concerns it might undermine his relationship with Ten Hag.

When speaking with Ferdinand, Van Nistelrooy opened up about his ambitions at United, as he said: "I just want to contribute to where the club should be and, little by little, bring it there," he said in September."I hope when they reach it, it will be soon. I want to contribute. I feel a strong feeling that I want to do that."