Manchester United legend and assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has opened up about the most valuable lesson he ever learnt under Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Van Nistelrooy hired as Man Utd asst. coachSummarises most valuable lesson from FergusonTipped to take over from Erik ten Hag at Man Utd(C)GettyImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Van Nistelrooy worked under the legendary Manchester United coach, Ferguson, between 2001 and 2006 as the Dutchman claimed the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for the 2001/02 and the 2002/03 seasons. The former striker is now working under Erik ten Hag as Manchester United's assistant coach and he has revealed a few valuable lessons he learned from Ferguson.
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Speaking to The Guardian, Van Nistelrooy said: "As a player, the most important thing I took from working with Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson was their relationships with the individual. It’s not a football player; it’s a person. When you reach that connection, you get the best out of people – and from there on you can help them build their careers. I never let that thought go out of my mind.
"Sometimes you have to be tough on them and sometimes you have to get your arm around them. That mixture is important, but the most important thing is to always be honest and straight. When you have knowledge about the game and what is necessary at the highest level, you must share it.
"As a coach, you just try to help players reach their goals. And it is something that makes you feel really proud when you see young players develop. Gakpo went on to Liverpool and Noni to Chelsea, but there are a couple more from that time who are now in the PSV first team. The feeling I get when I see this is comparable with winning a league, really.
Getty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Van Nistelrooy started his coaching career as the assistant manager of the Dutch national team under Guus Hiddink and his latest job as PSV head coach was his first experience as the manager of a senior team. Former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke has also tipped the 48-year-old to take over from ten Hag in case of the Dutchman's untimely sacking
WHAT NEXT FOR VAN NISTELROOY?
The Dutchman will now travel back to the United Kingdom with the Red Devils following the end of their United States tour as they look to begin preparations for the start of the Premier League.