PSV and coach Van Nistelrooij parted ways immediately, Rutten on bench against AZ

Coach Ruud van Nistelrooij is leaving PSV effective immediately. Although the Eindhoveners are second in the premier league and won the KNVB Cup, there was dissatisfaction with the former international’s methods.

Assistant Fred Rutten will be on the bench Sunday for the Eindhoven side, who can secure spot two and with it the preliminary round for the Champions League when they visit AZ. The lead over Ajax is three points, but the Amsterdammers have a better goal difference.

Van Nistelrooij had another conversation about his performance with the club management on Tuesday, in which it was decided to continue talking after the season. But Wednesday morning he informed the club that in his eyes there was too little support to continue any longer. He also told this to the players and staff.

Clubman Van Nistelrooij (46) was in charge of Jong PSV last season and was passed on as head coach after the departure of trainer Roger Schmidt. His entrance was stormy with an immediate victory over reigning champions Ajax in the battle for the Johan Cruijff Schaal.

But soon also followed the first major disappointments, with an unfortunate elimination in the preliminary round of the Champions League by Rangers FC and mixed results in the league. These included losses to later relegators SC Cambuur and FC Groningen.

Yet there was also more success, with a win of the KNVB Cup. And far behind champion Feyenoord, PSV was on course to take second place at the expense of Ajax.

Last week, internal unrest suddenly became known. After PSV failed to secure second place definitively against sc Heerenveen (3-3), the bomb finally burst and he stepped down.

Watch last weekend’s match between PSV and Heerenveen (3-3) below: