Leicester City have appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new manager, following the dismissal of Steve Cooper after just 12 Premier League games. The former PSV Eindhoven boss has signed a contract with the Foxes that runs until June 2027.
Expressing his excitement, the 48-year-old Dutchman said, “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everyone I’ve spoken to about Leicester City has shared enthusiastic stories about the club’s people, supporters, and impressive recent history. I’m eager to get started, meet everyone, and give my all for this football club.”
Van Nistelrooy’s tenure begins with the club in a precarious position, sitting 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone. Leicester will face Brentford this Saturday under interim coach Ben Dawson before Van Nistelrooy takes charge of his first game on December 3, a home fixture against West Ham.
The appointment comes shortly after Van Nistelrooy’s brief stint as interim head coach at Manchester United. During his four-game tenure, he secured three wins and a draw, including victories over Leicester in both the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
Before his time at Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy managed PSV Eindhoven during the 2022-23 season, guiding the team to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie. He left the role just before the season ended, citing a “lack of support within the club.”
The Dutchman also turned down the opportunity to manage Burnley last season, opting instead to join Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff at Manchester United. Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for United during his playing days, has maintained a strong connection to the club, describing it as the only one he would consider joining as an assistant.
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha welcomed the new manager, stating, “Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will bring immense value to our club. We’re excited to support him as he leads us toward success.”
Steve Cooper’s departure marks the end of his 157-day stint at the King Power Stadium. Leicester now look to Van Nistelrooy to steer the team away from relegation trouble and back to stability.
SOURCE: BBC
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