Ruud van Nistelrooy was unveiled as Leicester City's new manager at a press conference at the club's Seagrave training base.
The former Manchester United striker was asked about all manner of subjects, from his time as interim boss at Old Trafford, all the way back to a message he sent Jamie Vardy nine years ago.
There was talk of his football philosophy, the January transfer window and adding to his back-room team. Here's a transcript of what was said.
What made you think Leicester was the right fit?
“When the approach was first there, you think about the club, the set-up, the players and training ground. You want to know about the people who work there. I spoke to Enzo, what better information to get (than from him). We spoke after Chelsea and he was really positive about Leicester. I have to say he was absolutely right according to the first impressions I get.”
What does it mean for this to be your first permanent manager’s job in England?
“A lot. To be managing this club and this group of players and representing Leicester City in the Premier League. I’m very excited, I’m proud. The conversations I had, twice I flew out to London to speak to the owner, were very good.It was important to get on the same page. We are both very excited to start working together.”
How do you reflect on your spell at United?
“It was a good period, it was short and intense. But I was happy to help steady the ship, I called it. They’re now on a run of good results on top of those four games, that’s great to see. I enjoyed being responsible and getting a connection with the team and the supporters and being able to turn the momentum a little bit. That felt great to do. I’m now in a position to do it again.”
Did you speak to Vardy about him breaking your record nine years ago?
“It’s a problem of course that he broke my record! That’s what I told him straight away. I said ‘We have a big issue here before we can even start together!’ That was the first thing I said to him. I beat him commenting on it. I wished him well at the time. It’s weird how things go sometimes.”
Did you feel your work with United got you this job?
“To be fair, what happened after the games (with United), the amount of interest that all of a sudden was there for me and the options that came along, I was astonished a little bit by it. It was four games. I’ve managed a full season at PSV, I was able to win the cup and the charity shield, I had the year before in the Championship with Jong PSV. I’ve been in coaching in the 19s before and with the national team. It never got this reaction from the football world. Apparently it provoked these reactions. I was only happy with that, to get into conversations with different parties and to be able to make a decision that felt really good for me. And know I am here.”
What do you make of the facilities here?
“It’s amazing. Everybody tells you how great the facilities are. When you come here and see it with your own eyes it’s hard to believe. I met [Carlo] Ancelotti in Madrid last year, but if you changed the logos, it’s similar. It’s an opportunity for the players and young players to use everything possible to develop and to get better.”
Maresca said Vardy is the best England striker of the generation, not Rooney or Kane. Do you agree?
“It’s somebody who has had a career for a long time. He’s been performing in all these seasons, been fit all along. He’s helped every team he’s played for at Leicester. He’s still producing. It’s a great striker and it’s great to have him in the squad.”
How do you pick this team up?
“That is what needed to be done. Sunday was the first time that I was here. Was it yesterday? It feels longer. Yesterday was the first time I met the players and staff and everybody who is here. I had a meeting with the players and it was the first thing to address. The situation we’re in, the challenge we face and what’s necessary to get out. The results over the last weeks, it’s about reacting. We need clarity in how we’re going to do things. Of course in two days it’s difficult to make too many changes, but as a staff we have started to make changes on how we want things. Little by little it’s time to build a foundation of a highly-motivated, fit team that can compete in this difficult league.”
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Evans said you had an obsession with defensive organisation. How does that manifest itself?
“It manifests in meetings, in drills on the training pitch. Yesterday and today it has been a topic of discussion. How can the back four play together with the sixes in front, how high is the line, what are the body positions, who’s running, who’s following who, body positions, etc? There’s a lot of detail in there. We just started to share that with the players. Today was the first time we had the whole group together.”
Have you spoken to the chairman about January transfers?
“That was a topic of discussion. The two conversations on different days were very open and clear. For me, it was important to know the plans for the near future but also in the longer future. The January window was discussed. What was also discussed, and this is the most important thing, was the current squad. For me, I need to get a good assessment over the coming weeks leading into the January window, giving every player the chance. Also, the staff members that are staying, it’s the same. I’m working together with the people that are still at the club. I’m looking to bring in more people. But I’m still keen on working with them (the current staff) as well and then we can make assessments from there. That’s what was said in those meetings.”
What was the message from the chairman?
“The expectations are clear. They are not easy but they are clear. It’s to maintain in the Premier League. That’s the big target for us and everybody to achieve that.”
What’s your footballing philosophy?
“Structures off the ball it’s a 4-4-2, where we look to give pressure on the opponent using different formations. But the basic structure in that is 4-4-2. There was a three-box-three that I used at United and that was developed by Enzo came in the Championship. I saw that as an advantage coming here that I am used to developing these structures. It saves me a bit of work!”
What are the key characteristics of your side?
“My sides, I’m thinking of one thing before every game and that’s winning it. When you play top teams or mid-table teams or lower-ranked teams, it sometimes requires a different approach. The style of play adjusts depending on how can we win. I’m not a romantic manager who puts style ahead of a result. I love style, I love having the ball, I love creating lots of opportunities, I love pressing a team high but we are facing opponents and we’re not the dominant side in this league.”
How are Okoli and Winks?
“Caleb was part of team training and looked good. He pushed himself to join so we’ll wait on his reaction. All being well, he will be in the squad. Harry is doing individual work. He’s not joined the team yet. It’s not a long term injury and hopefully we can welcome him soon.”
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