Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Leicester following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
Relegated Leicester have parted ways with Van Nistelrooy by mutual consent, just days before the first-team squad return to pre-season training.
Van Nistelrooy’s future as manager had been in doubt for weeks after the Dutchman failed to prevent Leicester from dropping out of the Premier League.
The Manchester United legend has been back at his Netherlands base before holidaying in Spain, growing increasingly frustrated over a perceived lack of clarity over his position.
Now, however, Leicester have finally informed Van Nistelrooy of the decision that they will be parting ways.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Röhl will emerge as a possible target, despite fears over the amount of compensation required if he remains at the rival Championship club. Sources have dismissed the prospect of former Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche taking charge.
Van Nistelrooy replaced Steve Cooper in November but was unable to inspire a revival, losing 19 of his 27 matches in charge. Leicester also failed to score at home in nine successive league matches, which was a top-flight record.
Van Nistelrooy was promised three new signings in the January transfer window, but was only able to bring in one recruit, full-back Woyo Coulibaly from Parma, because of the club’s financial restrictions.
He has also worked with a poorly constructed and unbalanced squad, who secured only six wins in the league all season.
Leicester were hit with three charges by the Premier League last month and are facing a hefty points deduction at some stage next season.
Van Nistelrooy leaves after just 210 days in charge and, once again, the scrutiny should extend to the Leicester board.
Though the Dutchman performed impressively at PSV Eindhoven, did he possess the necessary experience as a manager for a Premier League relegation battle? Did Leicester appoint him solely on the basis of four games unbeaten as interim manager at Manchester United, which included two wins over Leicester?
As is usual with Leicester, we will never receive an explanation over their reasons as senior officials always decline to speak to the media.
There should be some sympathy for Van Nistelrooy. He has waited for weeks for clarity, despite frequent requests, and that is an appalling way to be treated. He took over a club in a difficult position and was denied the new signings in January he felt could improve their survival chances.
One loan player signed before his arrival, Odsonne Édouard, did not have a recall option in the deal agreed with Crystal Palace, so there was no opportunity to bring in another loan.
Van Nistelrooy tried to impose high standards. He excluded Harry Winks and Jannik Vestergaard from his plans after they declined to stay one night a week at the training ground.
It is understood he was stunned by some of the resistance he encountered from players over simple things like strength and conditioning.
He offered hope for the future by introducing many of the club’s academy youngsters. Jeremy Monga, the 15-year-old winger, has recently signed a new contract and a big reason for that is the pathway presented to him by Van Nistelrooy.
Results, however, were simply not good enough, despite improvements late in the campaign when the pressure was off.
Perhaps Van Nistelrooy will flourish somewhere else at a more stable club. He was professional to the end at Leicester, devoid of ego and always personable.
Leicester are now facing an uncertain future in the Championship, with owners King Power embroiled in financial issues in Thailand. With fears over a hefty points deduction next season, it does not promise to get any easier.
Leicester need to examine themselves more than anything else right now.