Ruud van Nistelrooy has made Premier League history by becoming the first manager to beat a team twice in the same season and then go on to manage them. The Dutchman, who was recently dismissed by Manchester United, took charge of Leicester City and led them to a 3-1 victory over West Ham United, securing his first win as Foxes boss.
Van Nistelrooy’s appointment at Leicester came after a brief spell as Erik ten Hag’s assistant at Manchester United. Following the arrival of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy found himself out of a job, but quickly returned to management at the King Power Stadium. His first match in charge of Leicester saw them defeat West Ham, marking the club’s third Premier League win of the season and their first under his leadership.
The match against West Ham featured an early goal from Jamie Vardy, followed by strikes from Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka in the second half. Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback. The victory not only marked a successful start to Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester tenure but also helped the club distance itself from the relegation zone.
Interestingly, Van Nistelrooy had previously faced Leicester twice while at Manchester United earlier this season, winning both encounters—one in the Premier League and the other in the Carabao Cup. His history with the club extends beyond managerial roles, with Vardy breaking one of Van Nistelrooy’s long-standing records for scoring in consecutive league matches.
Van Nistelrooy’s quick return to management with Leicester shows his resilience after his exit from United, and he will now focus on guiding the Foxes to safety in the Premier League.
