Van Nistelrooy details Sir Alex and Sir Bobby lessons shaping his next ambition

Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed how two of English football's managerial knights have shaped his own ambitions to become a top boss.

The former Manchester United striker takes his inspiration from his ex-Old Trafford gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Robson, who was in charge of him when he was developing his craft at PSV Eindhoven.

Van Nistelrooy, 45, is now coaching PSV's reserve team as he studies for his UEFA Pro licence - and harbours an ambition to emulate his success as a player from the touchline.

But he also carries with him the valuable lessons he learned under Ferguson and Robson on how to handle pressure.

Van Nistelrooy said: "As a young player I saw the way in which Sir Alex and Sir Bobby were slaughtered by the media.

"I used to think 'oh dear, our manager is going to be right down in the dumps today after all this. But they would both walk in really cheerfully!

"They had been under fire so many times or had been given outrageous praise the other way that it didn't even affect them anymore.

"Sir Alex and Sir Bobby would get all this s**t piled on them, but they did not give the slightest inkling that it had upset them.

"They would work with us, the players, as if nothing had happened. It is a wonderful quality, which I would like to have as a manager."

He added: "My years under Sir Alex Ferguson were massive.

"There, at the training grounds, in the dressing room, and in the build up to matches, I learnt something really vital: how to maintain your high level of playing.

"At Manchester United, you were brought in to score 30 goals - and you learned how to cope with that in your head.

"I played under Sir Bobby Robson - and I learnt other things from them, too, which I will certainly use in my career as a manager."