Newly-appointed Leicester City manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy has wasted no time in outlining his vision for the struggling Premier League club. The former Manchester United striker, who took charge on Friday, is determined to implement a fresh playing style and instill a sense of positivity in the dressing room as the Foxes battle to avoid the drop.
Van Nistelrooy’s Positive Approach
Leicester currently sit 16th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone after three straight league defeats. Van Nistelrooy, who watched from the stands as his new side fell 4-1 to Brentford on Saturday, understands the magnitude of the task at hand.
“The situation we’re in, the challenge that we face, and what’s necessary to get out of that situation” were the Dutchman’s first words to his squad, underlining his determination to turn the tide at the King Power Stadium.
– According to a close source
While acknowledging that wholesale changes cannot be implemented overnight, Van Nistelrooy has already begun to put his stamp on the team. “In two days it’s difficult to make a lot of changes, but we have started to make changes in the style of play, training sessions, structure, little by little starting to build a foundation of a highly motivated team who can compete in this league,” he revealed.
Tough Fixtures Ahead
The road ahead is far from easy for Leicester, with matches against high-flying Brighton, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester City on the horizon. However, Van Nistelrooy’s first test will come on Tuesday when the Foxes host West Ham United.
Maresca’s Influence
Van Nistelrooy credited his former Malaga teammate and ex-Leicester boss Enzo Maresca for playing a key role in his decision to take the job. The pair, who faced off in the Premier League when Van Nistelrooy was interim manager at United and Maresca was in charge at Chelsea, had a lengthy discussion about the opportunity.
“What better information could I get? When we played against each other in the Premier League — when I was Manchester United interim boss against Chelsea — half an hour we spoke.”
– Ruud Van Nistelrooy on his conversation with Enzo Maresca
Maresca’s glowing recommendation of the club and its potential ultimately swayed Van Nistelrooy, who admitted to being “astonished” by the level of interest in his services following his brief stint at Old Trafford.
Vardy Banter
In a light-hearted moment, Van Nistelrooy joked about clearing the air with Leicester’s talismanic striker Jamie Vardy over the matter of a Premier League scoring record. Vardy famously broke Van Nistelrooy’s record for goals in consecutive Premier League games when he netted in 11 straight matches for the Foxes in 2015.
“It’s a problem, of course, that he broke my record. That’s what I told him straight away: ‘Listen, we have a big issue that we’ve got to get out of the way before we can start together.'”
– Van Nistelrooy on his initial chat with Jamie Vardy
While the quip was undoubtedly made in jest, it underscores the importance of forging strong relationships with key players as Van Nistelrooy embarks on his Leicester City adventure. With the club’s Premier League status hanging in the balance, the Dutchman will need to harness the full potential of his squad if he is to orchestrate a great escape and cement his legacy at the King Power Stadium.
As the Ruud Van Nistelrooy era begins in earnest, Leicester City fans will be hoping that the former United hitman can replicate his scoring prowess in the dugout and guide the Foxes to safety. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Van Nistelrooy’s positive approach and tactical acumen can steer the club away from the relegation zone and towards a brighter future.
