Ruud van Nistelrooy is on the verge of being named Leicester City’s new manager, but his appointment comes with a backdrop of uncertainty and mixed expectations.
Former England striker Gary Lineker disclosed that Van Nistelrooy was not Leicester’s top choice to replace Steve Cooper, who was dismissed earlier this week.
The Premier League strugglers parted ways with Cooper after just two wins in 12 matches, leaving the newly promoted side hovering a single point above the relegation zone.
Leicester hired Cooper in the summer following Enzo Maresca’s move to Chelsea. Despite his impressive work at Nottingham Forest, Cooper struggled to inspire his new squad, ultimately losing the dressing room. His firing marked the end of a disappointing tenure for a manager once viewed as a rising star.
Van Nistelrooy, meanwhile, has had a turbulent year. After a brief return to Manchester United as an assistant to Erik ten Hag, he was let go by Ten Hag’s successor, Ruben Amorim. However, Van Nistelrooy managed to stabilize the team during his interim stint before Amorim took over.
Leicester’s first-team coach, Ben Dawson, remains uncertain about Van Nistelrooy’s imminent arrival. “I was hoping you could shed some light on the situation,” Dawson said during a pre-match press conference ahead of Leicester’s clash with Brentford. “We probably know as much as you do.”
Dawson added that Cooper’s dismissal was “a little bit unexpected” and acknowledged that the players were caught off guard earlier in the week.
Gary Lineker, a Leicester legend, expressed cautious optimism about Van Nistelrooy’s appointment during The Rest is Football podcast.
“Whoever you go for, it’s a gamble,” Lineker admitted. “I understand, from behind the scenes, that one or two managers turned it down. But it’s an opportunity for Ruud. It’s a big name to come to Leicester City, and I hope it works out.”
When asked if Van Nistelrooy could reverse Leicester’s fortunes, Lineker replied, “I’ll tell you in a month!”
Leicester City faces an uphill battle to escape the relegation zone, and Van Nistelrooy’s appointment will be a significant gamble for the club. While his name brings prestige, the former Manchester United star will need to prove himself in a managerial role that demands immediate results.
As fans await official confirmation of his role, the pressure will be on Van Nistelrooy to reignite Leicester’s season and restore hope to a club in desperate need of stability.