Ruud van Nistelrooy Takes Charge of Leicester City

Ruud van Nistelrooy the new manager of Leicester City has shared his pain about leaving Manchester United but is determined to assert his authority with the Foxes. The former United striker replaced Steve Cooper at King Power Stadium on Friday, signing a contract until 2027. After Erik ten Hag’s sacking, Van Nistelrooy served as interim manager at Old Trafford leading the team to three wins and one draw. Although he initially felt disappointed by his exit, he has since moved on and embraced the opportunity at Leicester.

Van Nistelrooy expressed confidence in the squad’s character following a tumultuous period under Cooper which included controversy surrounding the team’s behavior at a Christmas party. Before accepting the role, he made inquiries about the players’ personalities and received positive feedback. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect in his relationship with the players believing that it is essential for success.

Leicester acted swiftly after they sacked Cooper on November 24 securing Ruud van Nistelrooy despite interest from other clubs. The 48-year-old revealed that he had multiple options but chose Leicester after positive discussions. He watched Leicester’s 4-1 defeat to Brentford from the stands, noting that the team’s main goal is to stay in the Premier League this season.

Van Nistelrooy’s arrival at Leicester comes during a challenging time for the club, sitting just above the relegation zone with five losses in their last eight games. The squad’s leadership has faced scrutiny and the former PSV Eindhoven manager now has a clear mandate to rebuild the team and restore their form. His past experiences including playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, grant him the authority to command respect but he will need to deliver results to prove his worth.