Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy says he was left disappointed and hurt by having to leave Manchester United last month.
The 48-year-old was assistant to Erik ten Hag before stepping up to interim boss when his fellow Dutchman was dismissed.
Before Ruben Amorim arrived as permanent manager, Van Nistelrooy took charge of four Red Devils matches, winning four and drawing one in a successful stint.
The legendary forward at Old Trafford made it clear that he would be more than happy to stay on and work under the new manager, but Amorim informed him that his services were not required.
Since then Van Nistelrooy has been snapped up by Leicester to replace Steve Cooper, but he admits that being told he can leave Manchester United did sting.
‘The moment I took over the interim job, what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it. So I was disappointed, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave,’ he said.
‘The only job I would have taken as an assistant manager was at United because of the bond I have with the people in the club, and the fans.
‘In the end I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager. I’m a manager myself. You can think of a situation, me being there… I understand.
‘I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him. I was grateful for the conversation: man to man, person to person, manager to manager. That helped me a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks about new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits.’
The former Real Madrid striker takes over the Foxes with the team in a terrible run of form, having lost their last three matches including a 4-1 defeat at Brentford last time out.
They sit 16th in the Premier League table and after just 13 games there is plenty of time to turn things round, but the new boss will want to improve things quickly.
That starts with a home game against West Ham on Tuesday night after the new boss praised the set-up in Leicester, even comparing it to Real Madrid.
‘I was able to make a decision that felt really good for me, and now I’m here,’ said Van Nistelrooy. ‘Everyone tells you about how good the facilities are here but when you come and see it with your own eyes, it’s hard to believe.
‘A year ago, I was in Madrid meeting [Carlo] Ancelotti, and being with him and the facilities over there, if you change the logos, it’s similar. It’s fantastic and it’s an opportunity here for young players, and all the players, to use everything possible to develop, to get better and to become better players. And in the end, that’s what it’s about.
‘For me, it’s important that I know how things are planned and managed in the near-future but also in the little-bit-longer future. What is most important is the current squad and for me to really get a good assessment over the coming weeks leading into the January window to make those assessments by giving every player the chance.’
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