Former Netherlands Striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy acknowledges that, while he is content with his professional achievements, he still has a regret that bothers him. He admits that leaving Real Madrid for Hamburg in January 2010 was a mistake that he deeply regrets.
In an interview with ‘Overlap’, Van Nistelrooy revealed that leaving Madrid was his greatest regret, and it still hurts him to this day.
Although he had come to terms with his age, he wanted to play in the World Cup that year with the Netherlands, so he left Madrid to find more playing time.
However, the signing of Karim Benzema, Kaka, and Ronaldo by coach Manuel Pellegrini meant that there was no more space for him.
He (Van Nisterooy) told Overlap “Our coach then was Manuel Pellegrini, he just signed Karim Benzema, Kaka, and Ronaldo, leaving no more room for me in the team. I accepted the situation, and I was 33 years old, so I still had a strong desire to participate in the 2010 World Cup.”
Looking back, Van Nistelrooy believes that he made the decision to join Hamburg too hastily, and it was not the appropriate time for his family to relocate.
Regarding his career, Van Nistelrooy claimed that Alex Ferguson was the finest coach he had ever worked with. “I spent five years under his guidance, and Ferguson’s legacy at Manchester United is unmatched”. According to Van Nistelrooy, Ferguson is the best manager he has ever had.
Van Nisterooy is currently the Head Coach of Dutch club, PSV Eindhoven and he is looking to lead his team to the Eredivisie Title.
