RUUD VAN NISTELROOY will work as an assistant coach to Guus Hiddink in the new Dutch national team setup. Danny Blind meanwhile will continue in his coaching role before replacing Hiddink as manager in 2018.
Van Nistelrooy replaces another former legendary striker – Patrick Kluivert, who served under previous manager Louis van Gaal. Goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, who Van Gaal brought with him to Manchester United, has been succeeded by Patrick Lodewijks.
There were more coaching changes at under-age level too with a litany of ex-Dutch internationals all appointed to various roles. Pierre van Hooijdonk, Aron Winter, Sonny Silooy and Michael Reiziger have been brought in to assist with junior teams.
At a photo-shoot today, Hiddink, Blind and van Nistelrooy were expertly placed on the world’s smallest park bench and it didn’t look a bit awkward.
