PSV Eindhoven head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his decision to leave the club before their final game of the season.
The former Manchester United striker succeeded Roger Schmidt in the summer and has enjoyed a memorable debut campaign at the Philips Stadion, winning a KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield double — achieving the former with a triumph over De Topper rivals Ajax last month.
Van Nistelrooy’s decision has come as a shock to the wider footballing world, but there have been suggestions of unrest in the dressing room, with the 46-year-old supposedly not seeing eye-to-eye with assistants Fred Rutten and Andre Ooijer, while several players have raised concerns about his playing style and tactics.
Amid that tension behind the scenes, Van Nistelrooy has cited “a lack of support within the club” as the main reason behind his decision to step down. His assistant, Rutten, will now lead the team out for their final game against AZ, where they will look to consolidate second place.
A club statement read: “Van Nistelrooy told the first-team squad and coaching staff that he would be stepping down with immediate effect, due to a lack of support within the club.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's PSV managerial career by numbers:
◉ 51 games
◉ 33 wins
◉ 8 defeats
◎ 126 goals
◎ 60 conceded
◉ 2 trophiesRuud has decided to leave after one season. ? pic.twitter.com/59V5NSbTQL
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 24, 2023
“PSV regrets his decision and is grateful to him for winning the Johan Cruijff Shield and the Dutch Cup, and hopes to finish the season in second place.”
A former player, the 46-year-old started his coaching career as Netherlands assistant manager between 2014 and 2016, before a spell as PSV U19 boss for three years. He most recently coached the reserves — which he dovetailed alongside a second stint on the Oranje bench — before landing the main gig last year.
After falling to Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers back in August, PSV enjoyed some success in the Europa League, where they beat Arsenal in the groups and secured a 2-0 win over Sevilla in the second leg of their knockout play-off, though they ultimately went out on aggregate.
The club will now look to hold their nerve in the Eredivisie this weekend. A defeat could see Ajax leapfrog them into the Champions League places, but a result away to fourth-placed AZ will secure them second, irrespective of the Amsterdam club’s result.