Ruud van Nistelrooy is all set to take on the role of Leicester City’s new manager. The 48-year-old former Dutch footballer is poised to replace Steve Cooper, who was recently let go after only 157 days as head coach following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League.
Van Nistelrooy’s appointment comes after he left his position as interim head coach at Manchester United just two weeks ago. During his short stint at United, he managed three wins and one draw. However, he decided to depart after learning that he would not be included in new manager Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff.
Having secured victories against Leicester in the recent past, including a 5-2 win in the Carabao Cup and a 3-0 triumph in the Premier League, Van Nistelrooy will now join the Foxes as they currently sit 16th in the Premier League standings, just one point above the relegation zone.
Cooper, who took over as head coach this summer, was unable to make a significant impact, only managing to secure two wins in the Premier League. On the other hand, Van Nistelrooy’s previous experience managing a senior team was with PSV, where he clinched the Dutch Cup in the 2022-23 season.
Leicester’s upcoming match against Brentford this Saturday will likely be led by caretaker manager Ben Dawson, a member of Cooper’s coaching staff. It remains uncertain whether Van Nistelrooy will be present in the dugout for this game, given the short timeframe between his appointment and the match.
One of the challenges Van Nistelrooy may face is gaining the trust and support of the Leicester players, as there were reported struggles with Cooper’s coaching methods during his tenure. While some senior players like Jamie Vardy backed Cooper, the overall squad did not fully embrace his approach.
As Van Nistelrooy steps into his new role, he will need to navigate these dynamics within the team to bring about positive changes and improve Leicester’s performance in the Premier League. The football world will be watching closely to see how the former striker transitions into his position as head coach and the impact he will have on the team’s future.
