‘It was so clear for me’ – Ruben Amorim reveals reason he axed Ruud van Nistelrooy from Man Utd coaching staff
MANCHESTER UNITED head coach Ruben Amorim insists he made the right decision by axing Ruud van Nistelrooy from his coaching team.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, briefly took charge of the Red Devils on an interim basis following the departure of Erik ten Hag in October.
He managed three wins and a draw during his time at the helm before Amorim, 40, took over permanently.
However, the Portuguese boss rejected the opportunity to keep Van Nistelrooy on board and instead brought in his own team of staff.
The Dutchman was subsequently appointed manager of Premier League strugglers Leicester City.
And he will face his former club for the first time in the FA Cup tonight.
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Speaking ahead of the fourth round clash, Amorim insisted he was right to let Van Nistelrooy leave United three months ago.
He said: "It was not a difficult situation, because it was so clear for me, I just had to explain.
"He is a man of football and he understands this situation. I have my team and my staff. I prefer to work with a team that brought me here.
"I could keep Ruud because it was a good thing for me or a popular thing to do.
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"But I will not put Ruud in front of my guys, no matter what.
"Then I had to put a person like Ruud in the end of the hierarchy on my staff, and I think that was not fair on Ruud.
"To show respect to Ruud, I was really clear with him. I explained I have my team and I will continue the same way, and I will not put a guy like Ruud, a legend of this club, in the end of the hierarchy in the staff.
"So was the clear decision, really simple to explain, and he took it like a class guy as he is."
Meanwhile, Van Nistelrooy has revealed that he knows the Man Utd squad "inside out" - which could give Leicester a huge boost.
He said: "I’m glad I don’t have to analyse the Manchester United squad, I’ll leave that to Ruben. We have prepared for them and I know the squad inside out."
