Ruud van Nistelrooy is the favourite for the Burnley job – which would be great for the Dutchman

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed on the short-list for the Burnley job after former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany left the club for Bayern Munich earlier in the summer. The Dutchman would relish the chance to manage in England.

Kompany led Burnley to the Premier League but they suffered instant relegation after winning just five matches in the league, returning to the Championship once again. Frank Lampard was one of the names on the list to replace Kompany, but now is no longer in the running for the job.

Burnley are now looking to finalise Kompany’s replacement with the former Dutch striker a surprise favourite to fill the role. Van Nistelrooy, 47, has experience in management, managing Jong PSV from the 1 June 2021 until the 18 May 2022 when he was given the main PSV job.

The Dutchman has managed PSV from the 19 May 2022 until the 24 May 2023 where he had a 64.71% winning record managing 51 matches, winning 33, drawing 10 and losing eight times. Van Nistelrooy won the Johan Cruyff Shield in 2022 and the KNVB Cup in 2023.

It is his management for PSV that led Burnley to scrutinising him for the job which has seen them very impressed in the manager. His time at PSV came to an end prematurely though after he quit the club a year ago citing a lack of support – which could well have been the case.

United supporters will have relished that Van Nistelrooy gave to the club during his time at Old Trafford, signing for the club in the summer of 2001, staying for five years. He was due to sign in the summer of 2000 but a knee injury scuppered that particular move.

Van Nistelrooy played 219 times for United, scoring 150 goals and assisting a further 30. During his time at the Old Trafford club he won one Premier League title, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the FA Community Shield. Since leaving United, he played for Real Madrid, Hamburger SV and Malaga.

Former Chelsea and Derby County manager Frank Lampard and West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan are now seen as outsiders for the Burnley job with owner Alan Pace determined to take his time on making a decision. But it looks like Van Nistelrooy’s name could be heard again.

Written by Paul