Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed to the Netherlands national team coaching staff under Ronald Koeman for this year's World Cup, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed on Friday.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker brings prior experience as an assistant to previous national team coaches Guus Hiddink and Danny Blind. His most recent managerial role was at Leicester City, which he left at the end of the 2024-25 season after the club's relegation from the Premier League. He also served as interim coach at Manchester United in 2024, having previously played for the club from 2001 to 2006, scoring 150 goals in 219 games and winning the Premier League and FA Cup.
Van Nistelrooy, 49, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "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 added, "With my experience in various roles, including that of assistant, I know that this position is also a good fit for me. I look forward to fulfilling this role in a meaningful way and contributing to a successful tournament."
He begins his duties on 1 February. The Netherlands will play warm-up friendlies against Norway and Ecuador in March ahead of the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. The 2010 World Cup finalists are in Group F with Japan, Tunisia and a European playoff winner, opening against Japan on 14 June in Dallas.
