Five managers in the frame to become the next PSV boss

Ruud van Nistelrooy announced his shock departure from PSV Eindhoven in May — despite success in the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB Cup.

Although the former Manchester United ace, 46, walked away with a game left to play due to a perceived lack of support from the board, PSV had already secured second place in the Eredivisie.

His exit will have disrupted the club's plans for next term and leaves them searching for a new boss as they bid to rip the title from Feyenoord's grasp. 

Read on as we take a look at some of the names in contention to succeed Van Nsitelrooy in Eindhoven.

Peter Bosz is the frontrunner for the job and the former Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon head coach has a wealth of experience when it comes to Dutch football.

Born in Apeldoorn, Bosz has had stints in charge of Ajax and Vitesse and spent two-and-a-half years as Feyenoord's director of football.

He was sacked by Lyon laster October after just 10 games in charge but could revive his career in his homeland.

Bosz, 59, favours a 4-2-3-1 and is known for aggressive football that allows his players freedom on the pitch, which is in contrast to the more defensive 4-3-3 shape Van Nistelrooy preferred.

AZ Alkmaar had a fantastic season, finishing fourth in the Eredivisie to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

Their impressive run has put manager Pascal Jansen in the frame to take over at PSV, where he was previously in charge of the Under-21s and U-19s.

At Alkmaar, the 50-year-old Dutchman has averaged 1.93 points per game over a two-and-a-half-year stint and only fell to defeat seven times in 2022-23. 

Phillip Cocu led Vitesse to 10th in the league but his side finished the campaign with a flourish, winning their last three games, scoring nine goals and recording a memorable victory over champions Feyenoord on the final day.

Cocu, 52, has already had one spell in charge of PSV, spending five years in Eindhoven and averaging 2.12 points per game. 

All five of the trophies he has collected came in that period. 

Three league titles and two Dutch Super Cups may be enough to convince the board to sanction a return for the Eindhoven native.

Jesse Marsch has yet to return to management following his dismissal by Leeds and a stint in charge at PSV could help rebuild his reputation.

He has also been linked with Ajax and Celtic but his attacking brand of football, which delivered so much success with RB Salzburg, may be better suited to the Eredivisie.

The final candidate who could fill the vacant role at the Philips Stadium is FC Twente manager Rons Jans.

Having guided the Tukkers to 10th in 2020-21, he led them to fifth the following season and fourth this term — the club's best finish since retturning to the Eredivisie in 2019.

With just six defeats in the top flight in 2022-23, Jans could be the perfect replacement for Van Nistelrooy.