Ruud van Nistelrooy has resigned as manager of PSV Eindhoven before their final game of the season, the Dutch club have announced. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker had been in charge for just one year at the Philips Stadion and won the Dutch Cup earlier this month. PSV will secure a second-place finish in the Eredivisie if they take a point from their last game at AZ on Sunday.
A statement from the club said Van Nistelrooy, 46, did not feel he had sufficient support following several recent discussions about “internal affairs”. The club wanted him to see out the rest of the season but he has opted to leave immediately. Fred Rutten will take charge for the trip to Alkmaar.
The statement read: “Van Nistelrooy reported this morning that in his opinion there was not enough support within the club to continue longer. He immediately explained this to the players and staff. PSV regrets Van Nistelrooy’s decision and is grateful to him for winning the Johan Cruyff Shield and the KNVB Cup this season and hopes to close the football year with second place.”
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Van Nistelrooy arrived as a replacement for Roger Schmidt, but had an early setback when they were dumped out of the Champions League by Rangers in the playoff round. Victory over Ajax on penalties in the Dutch Cup final could not mask the tension between the coach and his players. There were are also reports in the Netherlands that he had a strained relationship with assistants Rutten and Andre Ooijer.