Ruud van Nistelrooy will be announced as the new Leicester City manager on Thursday, just weeks after temporarily managing Manchester United.
Leicester City Close In On Ruud Van Nistelrooy Appointment
The ex-Manchester United forward has held talks with Leicester City bosses this week and is expected to be announced as their new manager on Thursday.
On Sunday, Steve Cooper was sacked by the Foxes after they lost 2-1 to Chelsea just 24 hours prior, with the Welshman lasting just 12 league games. The club currently sit 16th, one point above the relegation zone.
We have parted company with Steve Cooper, who leaves his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.
— Leicester City (@LCFC) November 24, 2024
Van Nistelrooy will be available for free, coming with no compensation attached. This was crucial to Leicester’s managerial hunt and it will mark a new era at the King Power Stadium.
The Dutchman actually beat the East Midlands side twice during his four-game spell as interim boss at Old Trafford. First in the Carabao Cup, then in the Premier League.
He replaced Erik ten Hag on a temporary basis, who was sacked due to the club’s worst ever start to a season last month.
Last season’s Championship winners were keen to move quickly during their search for a new manager and it looks as if Van Nistelrooy will be in the dugout for their away trip to Brentford on Saturday.
However, it won’t be an easy start to life in Leicester for the ex-PSV manager. The Foxes face West Ham, Brighton, Newcastle and Wolves before Christmas. A Boxing Day trip to Anfield follows, then they host Manchester City on December 29th.
Can Ruud Van Nistelrooy Gamble Pay Off for Leicester?
Van Nistelrooy may be considered a risky appointment, but so was Enzo Maresca when Leicester were relegated to the second tier in 2023. The Dutchman led PSV to KNVB Cup glory in the 2022-23 season before leaving near to the end of the season. His most recent job saw him at Man United, first as assistant to Ten Hag, then interim manager before Ruben Amorim took over.
The 48-year-old also has coaching experience on an international level. He was on Ronald Koeman’s management team during Euro 2020, where the Netherlands made it to the Round of 16.
Van Nistelrooy’s first task will be a trip to Brentford on Saturday, a side the Foxes have not lost too since 1953. With plenty of football left to be played this season, the best UK betting sites price Leicester at 8/15 to be relegated.
Leicester City’s Next Ten Fixtures
- Brentford vs Leicester – 30th November
- Leicester vs West Ham – 3rd December
- Leicester vs Brighton – 8th December
- Newcastle vs Leicester – 14th December
- Leicester vs Wolves – 22nd December
- Liverpool vs Leicester – 26th December
- Leicester vs Man City – 29th December
- Aston Villa vs Leicester – 4th January
- Leicester vs Crystal Palace – 15th January
- Leicester vs Fulham – 18th January
