Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is in talks with Burnley over their vacant managerial role, according to BBC Sport.
A deal to bring van Nistelrooy to the North West is not thought to be at an advanced stage though, with reports suggesting he is close to agreeing a multi-year deal but that an announcement is not yet imminent.
The top job at Turf Moor has been empty since former head coach Vincent Kompany joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich last month. The Clarets received over £10 million in compensation for the Belgian, who had four years left on his deal in East Lancashire, making him one of the most expensive managers of all time.
Dutchman van Nistelrooy, who also had spells at Real Madrid, Hamburg and Malaga, as well as several clubs in his homeland, made 70 appearances for the Dutch national team in his playing days, scoring 35 goals.
So far, the 47-year-old’s only foray into management has been with former side PSV Eindhoven where he spent the 2022/23 season, winning the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB Cup before resigning, citing a lack of support from the club.
It is believed that a range of other candidates have been in talks over the job, with former Fulham and Bournemouth boss Scott Parker and ex-Chelsea, Everton and Derby County manager Frank Lampard both having reportedly been in contact with the club.
Should van Nistelrooy be appointed, he’d be tasked with returning the club to the Premier League following their instant relegation to the Championship last season. He’d also have a young squad to contend with full of mostly Kompany’s signings, with experienced players such as Jack Cork and Johann Berg Gudmundsson having left the club this summer, as the Clarets attempt to get back to the promised land at the first attempt.
Writer’s View
This is a risky move for Burnley, but then again, so was appointing Kompany back in 2022. Van Nistelrooy is fairly inexperienced on the managerial front but would come to Turf Moor with similar pedigree to his predecessor; a legend in his homeland whose only managerial experience is a moderately successful spell at his former club.
From a performance point of view, he fits the model having blooded plenty of youngsters and played attractive football while at PSV, two criteria which are set to be high on the wish list of Burnley fans as they hunt for promotion.
