Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy has paid tribute to Sir Bobby Robson
Ruud van Nistelrooy has paid tribute to the "amazing" Sir Bobby Robson ahead of Leicester's trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
Robson is a Newcastle legend who has a statue outside St James' Park and he also managed Van Nistelrooy when the Dutchman was at PSV Eindhoven. Van Nistelrooy also faced Robson's Newcastle several times while playing for Manchester United.
"The memory I have of Newcastle is Sir Bobby Robson," Van Nistelrooy said as he prepares for Leicester's clash with the Magpies. "Leading up to this game, my thoughts went back to the year I had with him at PSV.
"He was a wonderful man and thinking of him makes me smile. I will go there with that thought. Football, he was always talking about getting better and improving. You cannot control everything.
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"But to be a team and what it's like to be a team. The sense of humour he mixed in to motivate the players. It was amazing. Fight and spirit and emotion and being the best you can be."
The game will be Van Nistelrooy's third as Leicester boss, having replaced Steve Cooper last month after a brief stint in interim charge of United, and he is hoping to continue his unbeaten start.
Leicester beat West Ham 3-1 in Van Nistelrooy's first game, before drawing 2-2 with Brighton to move five points clear of the relegation zone. Newcastle, meanwhile, only have six more points than Leicester and are without a win in their last four games.
Sir Bobby Robson
Van Nistelrooy played under Robson at PSV Eindhoven
However, Van Nistelrooy believes recent results do not reflect Newcastle's quality and he is well aware Leicester will need to be at their best to get a result. "I need all my time and energy to focus on my own team," he added.
"I looked at Newcastle and know how strong they are. We don't focus on where they are in the league, but the potential of where they can be. It's a great squad. We have to be spot on to get a good game.
"They're offensive threats, with (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Gordon and the midfield power they have with Joelinton and (Bruno) Guimaraes. They've got many options and it's a good opportunity to continue to grow ourselves."
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