Ruud van Nistelrooy credits brief period as Man United interim boss with landing him his first job as a Premier League manager after taking over at Leicester

Ruud van Nistelrooy believes his brief period as Manchester United boss was the launchpad he needed to land his first job as a Premier League manager.

The Dutchman has taken charge of Leicester and be in the dugout for the first time on Tuesday, when the Foxes take on West Ham at the King Power Stadium.

Van Nistelrooy was told he was not he was not required by new United boss Ruben Amorim but has used his time in interim charge to catapult himself into the frame for other leading roles. 

As well as Leicester, Van Nistelrooy attracted interest from his former club Hamburg and an unnamed Italian club.

He said: ‘What happened after the games at United and the amount of interest, the options that all of a sudden was there for me and the options that came along, I was a little bit astonished.

‘It was four games. I managed a full season at PSV Eindhoven, I was able to win two cups. I have been in coaching at Under-19 level and been part of the staff for the Dutch national team and it never got this reaction from the football world.

The Dutchman was interim manager at the Red Devils after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag

Van Nistelrooy will be in the dugout for the first time on Tuesday, when the Foxes take on West Ham at the King Power Stadium

‘It provoked these reactions and I was only happy with that. I could get into conversations with different parties and be able to make a decision which felt really good for me. I am happy to be here.’ 

Leicester are a single point above the relegation zone after their dismal 4-1 thrashing at Brentford last weekend, with Ben Dawson in caretaker charge after the dismissal of Steve Cooper. Van Nistelrooy was in the stands to watch his new team fall apart.

One of the greatest forwards in United’s history, Van Nistelrooy was unbeaten during his short time in charge at Old Trafford.

He had been part of Erik ten Hag’s staff and when his fellow Dutchman departed, was installed in the hotseat, only to be moved aside at the start of the Amorim era.

Yet Van Nistelrooy believes he achieved valuable work during his brief stint. He added: ‘It was a good period, short and intense, but I was happy to help get the club back, steady the ship I called it.

‘Now they are on a run of good results on top of those four games, so that is great to see. I really enjoyed it, being responsible, creating a connection with the team, with the supporters and turning the momentum for the club for a little bit.

‘That is our job and that felt great to do and it just got better now I am in this position to do it again.’