Manchester United said an emotional goodbye to Ruud van Nistelrooy back in November, but his time at Leicester City has become something of a nightmare.
Ruud van Nistelrooy made a stunning return to Manchester United last summer, joining Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.
The Dutchman had spent a year out of football, having departed PSV Eindhoven towards the end of the 2022-23 season.
Van Nistelrooy stepped up as interim United boss in October, with Erik ten Hag losing his job.
United appointed Ruben Amorim in November, and Van Nistelrooy said an emotional goodbye as he left Old Trafford once again.
Leicester City appointed Van Nistelrooy as their new boss in November, just weeks after his United departure.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy records unwanted Premier League statistic
The move to Leicester has not gone to plan for Van Nistelrooy.
The Foxes have won just three games in 20 under Van Nistelrooy and were beaten by Manchester City on Wednesday night.
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Leicester appear to be heading for relegation, and Wednesday’s defeat means that Van Nistelrooy has brought up an unwanted statistic.
As noted by Opta Joe, Van Nistelrooy has become the first manager to endure two separate seven-game losing runs with the same team in the same top-flight season since 1959.
Freddie Cox of Portsmouth was the last such case, with Van Nistelrooy matching that unwanted tally after 66 years.
Van Nistelrooy lost the first seven games to Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Fulham before a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
Wednesday’s defeat has brought up another seven wins with Everton, Arsenal, Brentford, West Ham United, Chelsea, United and now City handing Van Nistelrooy another seven-game losing run.
Leicester City already eyeing Van Nistelrooy replacement
Van Nistelrooy’s struggles since leaving United have been difficult to watch from afar.
14 defeats in 15 games is a torrid record, and Van Nistelrooy actually praised United’s efficiency in front of goal after losing 3-0 to Amorim’s side in March.
Van Nistelrooy may already be in danger of losing his job, though, as the Daily Mail claim that Leicester are eyeing a replacement.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is on Leicester’s wish list, even if Van Nistelrooy is seemingly open to staying put even if the Foxes suffer relegation.
Van Nistelrooy was one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s finest signings, and there will always be love for him at Old Trafford – no matter how his managerial career goes at the King Power Stadium.