Ruud van Nistelrooy says his assistant Jelle ten Rouwelaar played a key role at Manchester United (Getty)
Ruud van Nistelrooy has suggested that Manchester United made an error by allowing goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar to leave Old Trafford following Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
Ten Rouwelaar joined United as part of Erik ten Hag’s new-look coaching set-up in July but left his role after Amorim was appointed as manager in November.
During his short stint at United, Van Nistelrooy believes Ten Rouwelaar played a key role in helping Andre Onana produce ‘the best form of his life’.
Earlier this month, Ten Rouwelaar linked back up with Van Nistelrooy at Leicester City as he was appointed as the Foxes’ assistant manager and goalkeeping coach.
Ten Rouwelaar is now tasked with improving Leicester’s first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and Van Nistelrooy believes his assistant has already shown his capabilities in his work with Onana at United earlier this season.
Jelle ten Rouwelaar with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir at Manchester United (Getty)
‘He’s having a very good season overall. He makes a lot of saves, we’re trying to reduce that amount. Mads is all around. He’s a good shot-stopper, excellent footballer,’ Van Nistelrooy said.
‘He [Ten Rouwelaar] will make Mads better for sure. He’s worked with young talented goalkeepers and made them improve into the highest level. [Bart] Verbruggen is one of course, who he worked with at Anderlecht.
‘He worked with Onana at United and I think he was in the best form of his life in the months he worked with Jelle.
‘He’s a fantastic addition to the team. He’s not only improving the goalkeepers and playing out, but the players around the keeper to do better.
‘Of course, you need everyone to be involved in playing out from the back and that whole process he’s great at.’
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