Ruud van Nistelrooy has reportedly been earmarked for a top managerial role – just two weeks after departing Manchester United.
The 48-year-old returned to Old Trafford in the summer to become one of his assistant managers.
Following his Dutch compatriot’s sacking, Van Nistelrooy took charge of United on an interim basis – overseeing three wins and a draw form his four matches in the dugout.
But despite fan pleas, his exit was confirmed earlier this month following Ruben Amorim’s arrival at the Theatre of Dreams.
The ex-PSV boss almost immediately applied for the managerial role at Coventry following Mark Robins’ dismissal.
Though talkSPORT understands that former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is in advanced talks to take over the Championship outfit.
And now the Leicester job has opened up following Steve Cooper’s sacking on Sunday with the Foxes languishing in 16th spot following their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
But Sky Germany have claimed that it’s a return to Hamburg that could be Van Nistelrooy’s next adventure.
The 2. Bundesliga side parted ways with Steffen Baumgart on Sunday following Saturday’s clash with Schalke.
The two giants of German football, now plying their trade in the second division, played out an enthralling four-goal thriller.
Hamburg, who have won just once from their last five fixtures, went into the break 2-0 up, but only came away with a point following a second half collapse to leave them eighth in the table.
And according to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg, Van Nistelrooy is on the club’s radar.
His name is said to have been discussed internally amongst club chiefs.
Van Nistelrooy had previously been considered by Hamburg in February, but the club ultimately opted to hire Baumgart instead.
The ex-Real Madrid striker would be a popular choice amongst the Hamburg fans.
Following his Bernabeu exit in 2009, Van Nistelrooy linked up with Hamburg, spending two years at the club before retiring at Malaga.
Despite being in the twilight of his career, he still managed to bang in 17 goals from 44 outings for the German side.
While it appears that a move back to his former stomping ground could be on the horizon, talkSPORT co-host Rory Jennings has urged West Ham to consider Van Nistelrooy.
The Hammers still have Julen Lopetegui at their helm, but the Spaniard is coming under increasing pressure with the east Londoners 14th in the Premier League table.
Speaking of Van Nistelrooy, Jennings said: “I think West Ham is actually the perfect club. If you think about what West Ham fans are in need of at the moment.
“If you think about the way that they are feeling and I think the way that they’ve been short changed by their ownership.
“I think Ruud van Nistelrooy is a tonic. Ruud van Nistelrooy is exactly what they were demanding.
“It’s the sort of appointment that West Ham fans not only demanded, but that West Ham fans deserved off the back of their protests about David Moyes leaving the club.”
