Respecting Ruud van Nistelrooy’s authority will be the Leicester City squad’s first step in winning over the understandably “grumpy” fanbase.
The new City boss takes charge of the club for the first time on Tuesday night when they face West Ham at the King Power Stadium. It’s a big game for the Dutchman’s debut, at home to a fellow struggling side.
It comes just a few days after the supporters turned on the players. During Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Brentford, for which van Nistelrooy was in the stands, there were chants of “you’re not fit to wear this shirt” directed at the squad.
Departed manager Steve Cooper found it difficult to connect with the players, and it has emerged as a reason behind his sacking. Van Nistelrooy hopes to build an immediate connection with his new players, which he believes will generate the good performances that are required to get fans back on side.
It’s a squad with big personalities, many of whom have a strong relationship with the chairman, occasionally leading to difficulties for the manager. For van Nistelrooy, who has been making phone calls to get the lowdown on the personalities of his new players, respect for his position is vital.
“It’s the only way you can work,” he said. “It’s mutual respect. I also mentioned to the players that I looked at the squad and started to make phone calls about players, because in football everyone knows everyone.
“With two or three phone calls you hear stories about 20 players and for me it was important that you hear there are good characters there. That’s important, that there are good people there.
“I look at the players, how they play. I obviously don’t know them but I got general information on the individuals that they are a good bunch of people. That was important for me to get in.”
The first match of van Nistelrooy’s interim spell with Manchester United, a 5-2 victory over City in the Carabao Cup, brought the good feeling back to Old Trafford, and the club have not lost since. The new manager is hoping for a similar start at the King Power Stadium.
Asked how he lifts the supporters, he said: “By good performances. That’s the most important thing. Taking over at United, it was similar. I felt a strong connection with the players and they proved it from the first game.
“They showed energy, they showed passion, they showed commitment, they showed fight and we were lucky enough to score a couple of goals. It gets the crowd lifted and when they see that, they get behind you. That’s the signal we have to give from Tuesday.
“Fans are right. When things are going wrong, they get grumpy. That’s normal. Accept it, take it on the chin and take responsibility that it wasn’t good enough and that we should do better. That’s where you grow. I don’t have a problem with that.
“You need it as players, to feel that disappointment of fans who care. Then it’s up to us to get things going. If we get the spirit right and work together from a clear plan, how to play, how to approach games, I think we can make that change.”
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