Ruud van Nistelrooy set for surprise reunion as Man United favourite 'closes in on new job'

Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly set to become the new manager of 2. Bundesliga outfit Hamburg. The 48-year-old has not been out of work long after leaving Manchester United earlier this month, having taken over the reigns at Old Trafford on an interim basis after Erik ten Hag was sacked back in October.

Former United forward Van Nistelrooy re-joined the club in the summer to become Ten Hag's assistant, but was promoted to the top job following their 2-1 defeat at West Ham last month. Van Nistelrooy ended up winning three of his four matches in charge before Ruben Amorim's arrival.

Bidding for an instant return to the dugout, it was reported that Van Nistelrooy had applied for the vacant manager's position at Championship side Coventry. There has also since been talk that the Dutchman could be a contender to replace Steve Cooper at Leicester.

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But now, according to Sky Sports Germany, Van Nistelrooy is expected to become Hamburg's new boss after the German second-tier side decided to sack head coach Steffen Baumgart. Hamburg sit eighth in 2. Bundesliga - four points off the top - following a 2-2 draw with Schalke on Sunday.

Van Nistelrooy was already a topic of discussion before Baumgart was appointed back in February, but Hamburg have now decided that the former PSV manager is going to get his chance to impress. Van Nistelrooy played for Hamburg at the back end of his playing career, scoring 17 goals in 44 appearances.

In a statement after departing United, Van Nistelrooy said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "To everyone at Manchester United Football Club,