EFL Analysis have gained an insight into Ruud van Nistelrooy’s stance on remaining as Leicester City manager.
Ruud van Nistelrooy took over as Leicester City manager in November and was unable to prevent the club from suffering relegation to the Championship.
Leicester would have to pay to sack Van Nistelrooy, and his future at the King Power Stadium has been up in the air.
The Foxes have assessed potential replacements for the Dutchman, with Russell Martin, Lee Carsley, and Sean Dyche all looked at by the Midlands side.
Now, an insight into how Van Nistelrooy feels about remaining in his role has been provided.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy stance on remaining Leicester City manager
In an EFL Analysis exclusive we spoke to our resident transfer expert, Graeme Bailey, about Van Nistelrooy and his Leicester future.
Bailey told us: “Ruud van Nistelrooy did a very impressive presentation to the Leicester hierarchy and John Rudkin recently. I don’t think they’ve made up their minds yet. I think they’ve been impressed by what they’ve seen in recent weeks. I think they’ll assess it.
“I think they appreciate that they really gave him a blank gun in January really and didn’t back him. I think there’s a reasonable chance to stick with him because they like him as a person. His demeanour is good. And while there’s been a few murmurs, he hasn’t really gone to town on the owners in terms of not being backed.
“There’s a real chance he could stay but they’re assessing the situation as a lot of clubs are.”
When asked if it is more the club or Ruud that is thinking about bringing the working relationship to an end, Bailey added: “I think it’s safe to say he doesn’t want to go, because otherwise, why would he do a presentation for them?
“I think we can assume that he’d like to try and get them back. If you think about it, if Ruud leaves Leicester, what’s next? He’s taken that chance. So, I think he’d like the chance to take them back. I do. I think they might give it to him.”
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Publicly, Ruud has not given too much away regarding his long-term plans.
Leicester faced Nottingham Forest over the weekend, and the ex-striker was quizzed on his future in his pre-match press conference at the time.
He said: “I spoke about the initiative months and months ago in conversations with the ownership and leadership at the club. Now for weeks I don’t have news, and my focus is on the next training session and the next game.
“In the interests of the club, it’s very important and the sooner the better. I said that as well. But my job is the responsibility of the football part of this football club.
“It’s important that I connect with the players and vice-versa, that they are buying into the way of playing and performing as good as we can towards the end of the season. It’s from day to day and game to game.”