PSV’s Fred Rutten to leave club after AZ Alkmaar clash following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s resignation

Fred Rutten is set to leave PSV Eindhoven at the end of the season despite being put in charge of the club after Ruud van Nistelrooy’s shock resignation, Voetbal International reports.

Rutten, 60, who was Van Nistelrooy’s assistant manager, has been placed in charge of the squad ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash against AZ Alkmaar with Champions League still a possibility as they sit in second place three points ahead of Ajax.

The news comes on the same day former striker Van Nistelrooy resigned in his first season as head coach of the club where he picked the Johan Cruyff Shield and the KNVB Cup.

It means the club will be looking for a completely new coaching team in the summer with Andre Ooijer – Van Nistelrooy’s other assistant coach – confirmed he will also leave the Philips Stadion this season. According to Dutch media, several players voiced their concerns about Van Nistelrooy to the board but wanted to see Rutten stay at the club.

As a result, Van Nistelrooy left feeling he had lost support from the club’s hierarchy.

Responding to the news that both assistant coaches will be leaving the club, technical direct Earnest Stewart – who joined the club back in February – held a press conference and spoke about their importance to the coaching set up this season.

“Those are two important assistants, who we chose together,” he said. “They also came mainly from Ruud’s sleeve and we were very happy with them. If those two stop, it is a signal to talk about it. You start with that right away, because you look: who are the right people to assist Ruud.”

Rutten worked in the past as head coach of PSV, Feyenoord and FC Twente, among others. 

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips

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