Ruud van Nistelrooij will succeed Roger Schmidt as head coach of PSV next summer. The current coach of PSV U21 signed a contract until mid-2025 in Eindhoven. "I have been working towards this moment for years," said the 45-year-old former top striker. "I am proud and convinced that I am ready to take a leading role at my club." Director of Football Affairs John de Jong: "We have great faith in the path we are taking this summer with Ruud as head coach of PSV."
Own trajectory
Ruud van Nistelrooij ended his successful playing career in 2012 and started his coaching career a year later. "My goal has always been to become head coach at PSV," said the striker, who played 67 league games for PSV between 1998 and 2001, scoring 62 times in them. "In recent years I have been intensively coached by the club and in particular by Toon Gerbrands (current General Manager of PSV, ed.). I was convinced that I could fully direct my own coaching career and that included one more season of experience as trainer of PSV U21. But it turns out it cannot be directed. This is the moment."
Persuasion
"In the past month several things came together," Van Nistelrooij explained. "The appointment of Marcel Brands as General Manager of PSV and the conversation I had with him have given me the final push to now take this step full of conviction. PSV is striking a new path this summer and I want to be part of it. Talks with the entire Board and Supervisory Board have strengthened my view on the unity and ambition to create something special with PSV in the long term. I am ready to lead the club as head coach in doing so."
Path towards A-selection
Van Nistelrooij has gained extensive experience in the coaching profession over the past nine years at PSV. He has been in charge of PSV U21 since this summer and, before becoming trainer/coach in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, was in charge of PSV U21 for three years. Van Nistelrooij also worked several seasons as individual coach (youth) and assistant coach (A-selection) at PSV Campus De Herdgang. The 70-time international was assistant coach of the Dutch national team during the 2020 European Championship under national coach Frank de Boer. From 2014 to 2016, he was assistant national team coach under Guus Hiddink.
Great confidence
"We are very happy that Ruud has said yes," said John de Jong on behalf of PSV. "He enjoys the full confidence of the current PSV board and Marcel Brands. Ruud has learned an enormous amount in and outside PSV in recent years, impressed as a leader of several teams and is ready to lead PSV's first team. We believe that the path we are taking with Ruud and the club this summer will benefit PSV greatly."
Technical staff
Former PSV coach Fred Rutten, current assistant coach André Ooijer and Willem II coach Javier Rabanal will assist Van Nistelrooij full-time with the first team. "We will use the coming months to determine the full complement of the technical staff," De Jong added. "The current staff is fully focused with the player group on winning prizes in this season."
