Ruud van Nistelrooy went unbeaten during a four-game spell as interim head coach of Manchester United, demonstrating his capabilities in a challenging managerial role. Recently, Leicester City sacked manager Steve Cooper on Sunday after just five months in charge, as the Foxes are currently experiencing a five-game winless streak that has left them languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
In a significant development, Leicester City has appointed Van Nistelrooy as their new manager. This decision marks a new chapter not only for the club but also for Van Nistelrooy, who briefly took interim charge of Manchester United earlier this season. He replaces Steve Cooper and has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the King Power Stadium, signaling a long-term vision for the club.
As Leicester prepares for this transition, caretaker manager Ben Dawson will remain in charge for their upcoming match at Brentford on Saturday, while Van Nistelrooy watches from the stands at the Gtech Community Stadium. His first official game in charge will be a critical fixture against West Ham at home on Tuesday, where he will seek to energize the squad and start climbing the league table.
In his enthusiasm for this new role, Van Nistelrooy revealed that he reached out to former Leicester manager Enzo Maresca prior to accepting the position. Speaking to LCFC.com, he expressed his gratitude for Marescaβs insight, stating, “I have to say, when the interest came, the first one I called was Enzo. He was so positive about it. He absolutely loved his time. When you hear these things, it’s a club you want to be a part of.”
The conversation proved fruitful as Van Nistelrooy inquired about the club’s structure, its people, the player squad, the stadium, and the fans. “It was a fantastic conversation,” he noted, adding that it is always a pleasure to connect with those who have had a positive experience at a club. He underscored his respect for the way Leicester City performed under Enzo Maresca, particularly their successful campaign that saw them triumph in the Championship and gain promotion to the Premier League. “I see also that line continuing in those structures and the idea of playing,” Van Nistelrooy remarked, indicating his desire to build on that legacy.
Before taking on this role at Leicester, Van Nistelrooy had been actively exploring opportunities to step into a number one managerial position. Sky Sports News reports that he had several offers from various European clubs, showcasing the demand for his coaching talents.
In the process of selecting a new manager, Leicester had also considered other candidates, including the former Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg manager Niko Kovac, as well as the current West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan. Ultimately, the decision to appoint Van Nistelrooy came from club owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, often known as ‘Top,’ who took personal responsibility for the hiring process, demonstrating his commitment to the club’s future. Meanwhile, director of football Jon Rudkin worked diligently to compile a list of potential candidates, leading to the decisive conclusion that Van Nistelrooy was the right fit to help steer the team away from the relegation zone and reinvigorate the club’s ambitions for the season ahead.
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