Leicester City has officially appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new manager, following the dismissal of Steve Cooper after a brief 12-match tenure in the Premier League.
The former PSV Eindhoven boss has signed a contract with the Foxes until June 2027, aiming to steer the club away from the relegation zone.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity:
“I’m proud, I’m excited. Everyone I’ve spoken to about Leicester City has shared great stories about the club’s people, supporters, and its impressive recent history.
I’m eager to start, meet everyone, and give my all for the football club.”
Leicester currently sits 16th in the Premier League, precariously one point above the relegation zone.
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The team travels to Brentford on Saturday, with first-team coach Ben Dawson leading the side. Van Nistelrooy‘s first match in charge will be at home against West Ham on December 3.
The Dutchman’s appointment follows his recent stint as interim head coach at Manchester United, where he achieved three wins and a draw in four matches, including victories over Leicester in both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup.
His managerial experience also includes leading PSV Eindhoven to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie during the 2022-23 season, though he departed before the campaign concluded, citing a “lack of support within the club.”
After a year away from management, Van Nistelrooy joined Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United last summer, having also been linked with a potential move to Burnley.
Reflecting on his return to Old Trafford, he remarked that United was the only club he would have considered joining as an assistant, given his illustrious playing career there, where he scored 150 goals in 219 appearances.
Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha welcomed the new manager, stating:
“Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us.
We look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our club.”
As Ruud Van Nistelrooy steps into the King Power Stadium, he faces the challenge of revitalizing a struggling squad and securing Leicester’s position in the top flight.
