Ruud van Nistelrooy will not be in the dugout when Leicester City visit Brentford today. The ex-Manchester United forward was announced as Steve Cooper's successor on Friday, but his appointment came too late for him be at the helm for the match against Thomas Frank's side.
Instead, Ben Dawson will take temporary control. When questioned about his strategy, the interim coach remarked: "We take a bit of everything. I think there were good elements in how Steve was getting the team to play. But there are areas to improve."
Van Nistelrooy enjoyed an unbeaten run during his four-game stint as caretaker manager at United after Erik ten Hag's departure.
However, former Leicester and Arsenal striker Alan Smith has cast doubt on the Dutchman's suitability for the Foxes' job. Speaking to MegaDice.com, Smith expressed skepticism: "I don't see Ruud van Nistelrooy and Leicester as a good match. I feel as though his mind would be elsewhere on the bigger jobs available if he were to do well. He used to be a big-time player, and you carry that attitude through as a coach."
Smith acknowledged Van Nistelrooy's credentials, saying, "He got good experience at PSV Eindhoven winning a few domestic cups, he has been an assistant with the Netherlands national team, and he impressed whilst he was interim manager of Manchester United, I just wouldn't say he was the right man for Leicester at this stage."
Dawson has addressed a recent incident involving his players, explaining after a video emerged showing them laughing next to a sign saying "Enzo, I miss you" at their festive gathering in Copenhagen. While the night out was approved, the reference to ex-manager Maresca amid Cooper's departure was seen as ill-judged.
"The time off was scheduled,” Dawson stated. “The players are entitled to do what they want with that time off.
The particular issue has been dealt with internally and we've all moved on from it. " He added, "They've had that key message from the club that what's gone on was not acceptable and we need to move on. All eyes have since been on training well and putting in a performance tomorrow."