John Percy
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s caretaker spell at Manchester United put him in the shop window and elicited a number of unexpected job offers Credit: Getty Images/Plumb Images
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy attends his first pre-match press conference at Seagrave Training Complex on December 2, 2024 in Leicester, England
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s caretaker spell at Manchester United put him in the shop window and elicited a number of unexpected job offers Credit: Getty Images/Plumb Images
Ruud van Nistlerooy has admitted his four-game tenure with Manchester United sparked a wave of interest from across Europe, including his new club Leicester City.
Van Nistelrooy “steadied the ship” after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag in October by guiding United to four games unbeaten, beating Leicester twice in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
The former United and Real Madrid striker attracted interest from clubs including Hamburg, but the prospect of taking charge of Leicester in England’s top division was impossible to turn down.
He said: “I was a little bit astonished after the games with the amount of interest and options that all of a sudden were there for me. I have to say there were offers there and possibilities. It’s good to have them, and look and be critical on where you’re going to work.
“I managed a full season at PSV [Eindhoven], was able to win the cup and the charity shield and I have also coached the Netherlands Under-19s and national team: it never got this reaction from the football world.
Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge of Manchester United as interim coach for four matches
Ruud van Nistelrooy was in charge as interim coach of United for four unbeaten matches Credit: Getty Images/James Gill
“It [the United interim job] provoked these reactions and I was only happy with that. I went into conversations with Leicester because I thought, having spoken to other people, I felt it was a great opportunity to get to know each other. I am happy to be here.”
Van Nistelrooy, 48, has signed a 2½-year contract and inherits a club deep in relegation trouble.
Leicester sacked Steve Cooper last month and were thrashed 4-1 by Brentford on Saturday, as Van Nistelrooy watched on from the stands. His reign kicks off on Tuesday night with a home game against West Ham.
‘The expectations are clear – they are not easy but they are clear’
With Leicester reporting huge financial losses in the past two years, relegation to the Championship would be a nightmarish prospect.
“The expectations are clear, they are not easy but they are clear,” Van Nistelrooy said. “We face that challenge to maintain and play in the Premier League. That’s the big target for us and everyone. I had a meeting with the players on Sunday and it was the first thing to address, the situation we’re in and the challenge we’re facing and what’s necessary to get out of that.
“With the run of the results with the last weeks and the Brentford game, it’s up to reacting.”
Van Nistelrooy will be acutely aware that Jamie Vardy remains Leicester’s talisman and utterly essential to the club’s hopes of survival. Nine years ago Vardy broke Van Nistelrooy’s record by scoring in 11 consecutive league matches.
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City looks on, whilst wearing a Rainbow coloured captains armband, during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Leicester City FC at Gtech Community Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Brentford, England
Jamie Vardy broke Van Nistelrooy’s record for the most goals in consecutive Premier League matches Credit: Getty Images/ Ryan Pierse
With a smile, Van Nistelrooy said: “It’s a problem he broke my record, I said to him we have a big issue to get out of the way! At the time I made a tweet about breaking the record and wishing him well. Nine years later it’s weird how these things go, but good stories.
“He is someone who has had a career for a long time and has been performing all these seasons. He still is and he’s a great striker and great to have him in the squad.”
Three things Van Nistelrooy must fix
1. Take control of the dressing room
Leicester’s players will rail against this accusation, but there has been a perception for years that the dressing room is too powerful.
This idea of player power became prominent after the dismissal of title hero Claudio Ranieri in February 2017, amid allegations of the squad making their feelings known to the hierarchy. The players may have changed over the years, but the theory that Leicester’s players wield too much influence has remained.
Former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri leaves Belvoir Drive Training Ground after saying his farewells on February 25, 2017 in Leicester, United Kingdom
Player power is said to have been a factor in the dismissal of Claudio Ranieri in 2017 Credit: Getty Images/Charles McQuillan
Even last season, it was alleged that during a worrying end to the Championship title season under Enzo Maresca, the players held a meeting to spark a late revival.
Cooper endured some issues during his short tenure and, regardless of whether it was pre-arranged, last weekend’s Christmas party was a bad look.
Van Nistelrooy, who will command respect due to his reputation as a player, must take control quickly and let the squad know that he means business.
2. Win over the fans and improve the mood
Right now, Leicester’s fans are angry. They remain frustrated about the relegation season in 2023, with many claiming that they could see the warning signs over the club’s collapse long before it happened.
The absence of a public review into that relegation further irritated supporters, while there have been fierce debates over other issues such as season-ticket prices.
At Van Nistelrooy’s unveiling on Monday, there were no senior figures from the club’s board present. It is now more than eight years since the club’s now owner, Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha, or indeed any other official, was interviewed by UK media.
Van Nistelrooy’s appointment has gone down well with fans and lifted the mood. Leicester fans never took to Cooper, though his past association with Nottingham Forest has perhaps been overplayed.
Steve Cooper, manager of Leicester City, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Leicester City FC at Selhurst Park on September 14, 2024 in London, England.
Leicester’s fans never warmed to former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
A win over West Ham would provide an instant boost for supporters who need the season sparking into life.
Another relegation would be unthinkable for the club, considering their financial position and the long-running feud with the English Football League.
3. Sort out the defence
During his brief spell with United, Van Nistelrooy was “obsessed” with defensive structure, according to defender Jonny Evans.
Only Wolves have conceded more goals than Leicester this season and it is a serious issue. With only one clean sheet so far in the league, Leicester leaked another four goals at Brentford in another masterclass of individual mistakes. Mads Hermansen, the goalkeeper, has been one of their best players, too.
Van Nistelrooy’s main focus will be how to improve the defence, and whether to persist with a back five or four.
Wout Faes, the Belgium international, is clearly struggling while Caleb Okoli, a summer signing from Atalanta, continues to adapt to the Premier League.
Victor Kristiansen (left) and Wout Faes (right) of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at King Power Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Leicester, England.
Van Nistelrooy needs to tighten up at the back, where Wout Faes (right) has struggled this season Credit: Getty Images/Michael Regan
Denmark international Jannik Vestergaard was frozen out by Cooper but returned against Brentford. With the January window still weeks away, Van Nistelrooy needs his team to harden up defensively.
He said: “On Sunday and today it’s been a topic of discussion, how high is the line, what are the body positions, who is following who. There’s a lot of detail in there. Today was the first time we had the whole group together and we managed to do some good unit work.”
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