“Amorim helped me heal” — Van Nistelrooy

New Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has opened up about the emotional aftermath of his abrupt departure from Manchester United and the role Ruben Amorim played following his exit.

The former Red Devils interim manager described his exit as a “hurtful” and “disappointing” chapter but credited a heartfelt conversation with United’s new head coach, Ruben Amorim, for helping him find closure.

Van Nistelrooy stepped in as United’s interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal but was not retained in Amorim’s coaching staff—a decision that stung deeply for the Dutchman, given his strong ties to the club.

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Van Nistelrooy admitted he was ready to serve United in any capacity:

“The moment I took over, I said I’m here to help United, and I meant it. So I was disappointed, very much so, and it hurts that I had to leave.”

The former striker’s bond with the club and its fans made the rejection even more personal, leading to what he described as a period of deep reflection.

Despite the setback, Van Nistelrooy revealed how a one-on-one conversation with Amorim eased the pain of his exit.

“I spoke to Ruben about it—man to man, manager to manager. That conversation helped me move on. I understood his perspective as a manager; it gave me peace.”