Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as the new manager of Leicester City, marking his return to management after a brief hiatus. The former PSV Eindhoven boss takes over from Steve Cooper, who was dismissed following a string of underwhelming results in the Premier League. Van Nistelrooy, who has signed a contract until June 2027, inherits a Leicester side currently battling relegation, sitting 16th in the league, just above the drop zone. The Dutchman’s first match in charge will be against West Ham on December 3, following a temporary spell under first-team coach Ben Dawson.
The 48-year-old’s managerial career has been a mixture of successes and challenges. After his time as a player at Manchester United, where he became a legend with 150 goals in 219 games, Van Nistelrooy ventured into coaching. His most recent role was with PSV Eindhoven, where he guided the club to second place in the Eredivisie in the 2022–23 season. However, his tenure ended prematurely, citing a lack of support from the club’s leadership. This departure was followed by a brief stint as interim head coach at Manchester United, where he oversaw a decent run of results, including two victories over Leicester in both league and cup competitions.
Van Nistelrooy expressed his excitement about his new challenge, stating that he was “proud” and “excited” to join Leicester. He mentioned the positive feedback he received about the club from both supporters and staff, highlighting the impressive recent history of Leicester City, including their Premier League title win in 2016. He is eager to get started and is committed to helping the team achieve success in the coming months as they strive to avoid relegation.
Leicester’s chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, also shared his optimism, praising Van Nistelrooy’s experience and winning mentality. He expressed confidence that the Dutchman’s leadership will be an asset in the club’s push for Premier League survival. The club is hoping that Van Nistelrooy’s expertise and track record of success will help them turn around their fortunes and secure a positive outcome this season.
The appointment comes at a crucial time for Leicester, with the team struggling to maintain their place in the Premier League. Van Nistelrooy will need to hit the ground running as the Foxes face a tough run of matches in December, starting with the West Ham fixture. The club’s fans will be hoping that his experience at the highest levels of European football will help spark the revival they so desperately need.
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