Ruud van Nistelrooy may have taken the Leicester City job just to get his foot into the Premier League door.
That’s at least according to Valentijn Driessen, [via Voetbal Primeur](https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/1241529/valentijn-driessen-verwacht-zware-klus-voor-van-nistelrooij-bij-leicester-city.html), who believes the Dutch coach faces a very difficult first experience as a manager in England’s top flight.
Van Nistelrooy was confirmed as Leicester’s new manager this week following the sacking of Steve Cooper six days ago.
His appointment comes on the back of a short spell in charge of Manchester United as their interim manager after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, in which he actually faced Leicester twice before Ruben Amorim’s appointment was confirmed.
The 48-year-old made it clear when leaving Old Trafford that he wanted a job in England and had been linked to several over the course of the last few weeks before ending up at Leicester.
They’re only his second senior appointment in what is a fledgling managerial career to date after starting out as assistant manager with the Netherlands before moving to PSV’s youth set up and then ending up as manager of the first team in July 2022.
That spell lasted one season and 50 games, in which he managed a 2.2 points per game average, before the Dutch side decided to go in a different direction.
He’s now tasked with keeping Leicester in the Premier League, but Driessen believes he’s taken the role for other purposes long-term.
“I think it is a very difficult story,” he’s quoted as saying on De Telegraaf’s Kick Off podcast.
“But I think Ruud van Nistelrooy is now happy with every challenge he can get in the Premier League. You see how quickly it can go: you remain three games unbeaten at Manchester United and you have a job in the Premier League.
“Suppose he keeps them in, then he might end up at a club in the middle bracket.”