Ruud van Nistelrooij does not yet want to respond to his sudden departure from PSV, the NOS. The broadcaster has been able to speak to his agent and good friend Rodger Linse, who immediately indicates that ‘it has been a well-considered decision’. “This decision is realistic rather than principled.”
PSV spoke with Van Nistelrooij on Tuesday about various matters, including complaints about his working method. Technical director Earnest Stewart and general manager Marcel Brands then agreed with the trainer that they would continue the talks after next Sunday’s game against AZ, so that the focus could go on that game. The next morning, Van Nistelrooij announced that he would leave immediately. Linse says that he and his client ‘discussed all possible scenarios together’ after Tuesday evening’s meeting. “Ruud is both principled and realistic. But this decision is realistic rather than principled.”
“It is very difficult to get your hands on it,” says Linse about the situation at PSV this season. “The top matches were won on the basis of unity and unity within the team. If that hadn’t been true, it would have expressed itself.” The agent says that he found ‘the turn that the management made in the media’ striking. “First it was said that players have complained to the management. At the press conference it was said that the players were sent off and had to discuss this with the trainer himself.” The NOS outlines how PSV ‘sometimes fell through the lower limit’, for example when visiting SC Cambuur (3-0), FC Groningen (4-2) and FC Emmen (1-0). “And Van Nistelrooij could only justify everything, especially after the dismissal of technical director John de Jong,” the broadcaster writes.
“Ruud was often on his own then,” Linse responds. “A board with strong leadership could also say: ‘This is the trainer’s line and this is the norm.’” The agent does not want to say that PSV has dropped its trainer. “It looks more like a difference of opinion. PSV is really his club. He put his heart and soul into it. When that story about those complaints came out, a lot came out in a short time. There was a snowball effect.” PSV must at least draw at least a draw at AZ this Sunday to secure qualification for the preliminary rounds of the Champions League. Fred Rutten, who, like his colleague André Ooijer, will leave the team from Eindhoven after this season, will then be on the bench as the person with ultimate responsibility.