New Leicester City manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, has confirmed he had a conversation with Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim, before he left Old Trafford last month.
Van Nistelrooy has however admitted he had been left “hurt” and “disappointed” after being shown the door by United.
The Dutchman was installed as interim manager after Erik ten Hag was sacked.
After Amorim arrived, he decided not to include Van Nistelrooy as part of his coaching staff.
“The moment I took over the interim job, what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it.
“So I was disappointed, very much so, and it hurts that I had to leave,” Van Nistelrooy said.
“The only job I would have taken as an assistant manager was at United because of the bond I have with the people in the club, and the fans.
“In the end I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager. I’m a manager myself. You can think of a situation, me being there… I understand.
“I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him. I was grateful for the conversation: man to man, person to person, manager to manager.
“That helped me a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks about new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits.”
