Leicester City are reported to be closing in on a deal to appoint Ruud van Nistelrooy as their next manager.
The Telegraph claim this evening that the Manchester United legend and recent interim boss at Old Trafford has held talks with the Leicester board this week and is set to be confirmed as the replacement for Steve Cooper, who was sacked on Sunday.
Sky Sports later went further, claiming the Dutchman had been made an offer and was expected to be in charge for Saturday's 3pm kick-off at Brentford.
The likes of Graham Potter and David Moyes were riding high in the betting in the immediate aftermath of Cooper’s exit, but club sources were quick to make clear that neither the former Chelsea boss nor the West Ham manager were in the frame.
The Telegraph reports: “Van Nistelrooy is crucially available with no compensation after recently leaving United, following an interim spell of four matches in charge after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
“Leicester have discussed the post with the 48-year-old and, while the club’s hierarchy has been determined to explore a number of options, could appoint the former Netherlands international before the trip to Brentford on Saturday.”
Cooper was sacked after the 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea, now managed by Leicester’s promotion boss Enzo Maresca. It is understood that Foxes chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha, who was at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, was the key mover behind the decision to fire Cooper.
The loss left Leicester 16th in the table, one point above the relegation zone. After Saturday’s trip to Brentford, the Foxes face West Ham, Brighton, Newcastle and Wolves before Christmas, then Liverpool on Boxing Day and Manchester City on December 29.
The Telegraph report adds: “Van Nistelrooy may be considered a gamble, but he has experience of management with PSV Eindhoven, winning the KNVB Cup in the 2022-23 season before leaving near the end of that campaign.
“He has been a Uefa Pro-License holder for more than two years and previously coached the Netherlands team as an assistant to Ronald Koeman at Euro 2020.
Van Nistelrooy was a member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering Manchester United team, but also played for Real Madrid during an illustrious playing career.
During his interim spell at Old Trafford, he guided United to two victories over Cooper’s Leicester – first in the Carabao Cup, then the Premier League.