Ruud van Nistelrooy, the newly appointed manager of Leicester City, expressed surprise at the level of interest he received following his brief tenure as interim boss at Manchester United. After succeeding Steve Cooper, Van Nistelrooy signed a deal with Leicester until 2027, revealing he had several opportunities to consider before deciding on the role.
Reflecting on the offers, he noted, "I was astonished by the amount of interest and options that came along after those games," adding that his discussions with Leicester left both sides feeling positive about the partnership.
Before joining Leicester, Van Nistelrooy managed PSV Eindhoven during the 2022-23 season, securing the Dutch Cup and a second-place finish in the Eredivisie. He also gained coaching experience with PSV’s Under-19s and the Dutch national team.
However, his brief stint at Old Trafford as interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s departure brought unprecedented attention. "The reaction from the football world after those four games was remarkable, and I was pleased with it," he said. Leicester swiftly acted to appoint the Dutchman, impressed by his credentials and vision.
Van Nistelrooy takes charge of Leicester with the team sitting 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone. Having watched their 4-1 loss to Brentford from the stands, he acknowledged the challenges ahead. "The expectations are clear but not easy," he said.
"The target is to maintain our Premier League status, and that is the challenge we all face." His first match as manager will be a crucial home game against West Ham, where he hopes to inspire a turnaround.
The former Netherlands striker also addressed his upcoming partnership with Jamie Vardy, who famously broke Van Nistelrooy's record for consecutive Premier League goals in Leicester's title-winning season. Van Nistelrooy joked about the achievement, saying, "I told him we have a big issue to resolve before we start working together." Despite the lighthearted remark, the manager expressed admiration for Vardy and is eager to work with him as they navigate the season’s critical challenges.
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