Just weeks after departing Manchester United, Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as Leicester’s new manager and inked a contract until the summer of 2027 to succeed a struggling Steve Cooper, as the Foxes look to stave off an almost-inevitable Premier League relegation battle over the coming months.
Cooper caught cold but Ruud up and running again
RUUD van Nistelrooy has agreed a deal to become Leicester’s new head coach on a two-and-a-half year contract, as they look to arrest an alarming slump that saw them win just two of 12 Premier League games under Steve Cooper’s guidance.
Time moves fast in football. 18 days ago the legendary former Manchester United striker lapped up the fans’ adulation at Old Trafford after overseeing a 3-0 win over Leicester in his final fixture as interim boss but now takes charge of the losing side that day, having admitted the Red Devils were the only side he’d willingly stay with if it wasn’t in a managerial capacity.
Instead, incoming United manager Ruben Amorim informed the Dutchman he wouldn’t have a role among the backroom staff and Ruud departed as speculation swiftly linked him with multiple jobs including a few Championship sides.
Sitting just one point above the relegation zone at the time of writing, Leicester sit 16th and their recent struggles clearly didn’t deter the 48-year-old, raring to get started elsewhere in England’s top-flight. He told the club’s official website:
“I’m proud, excited. Everybody I speak to about Leicester is enthusiastic, have great stories about the quality of people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history is impressive. I’m excited to start, get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club.”
Having cut his teeth with another of his former clubs in Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, van Nistelrooy underwent four years’ development at under-18 level and above, managing the reserve side before a season-long stint as first-team head coach (2022-23). There, he won the Dutch Cup but resigned that May citing a lack of support.
The club’s chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, said they’re collectively excited to see the impact Ruud can have and they’re eagerly anticipating the experience, knowledge and winning mentality he will bring to a team desperately needing a jolt.
In a cruel turn of events, Cooper was dismissed after their 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea, who activated Enzo Maresca’s £10m release clause to take him and six backroom staff from Leicester to west London last summer. van Nistelrooy will assume managerial control after this weekend’s away fixture against Thomas Frank’s Brentford, as they play host to fellow strugglers West Ham on Tuesday.
Picture source: Getty Images
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