Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker, has been appointed to the Netherlands national team coaching staff for the upcoming World Cup, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed on Friday.
The 49-year-old will serve under head coach Ronald Koeman, bringing prior experience as an assistant to Guus Hiddink and Danny Blind. His most recent role was as Leicester City manager, leaving after their relegation from the Premier League in 2024-25, following a brief interim spell at Manchester United in 2024.
Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 games for United between 2001 and 2006, winning the Premier League and FA Cup. He said: 'It is a huge honour to return to the Dutch team. The fact that this is happening on the stage of a World Cup makes it even more special.'
He begins his duties on 1 February. The Netherlands, 2010 World Cup finalists, are in Group F with Japan, Tunisia, and a European playoff winner. Their opening match is against Japan on 14 June in Dallas. Warm-up friendlies against Norway and Ecuador are set for March.
