After HSV speculation
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This article was first published on November 28 at 6:32 a.m. and has been updated following confirmation from the club.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will soon continue his coaching career, but not at his former club HSV, as was recently speculated. A new task awaits you in the Premier League. The Dutchman, who temporarily managed Manchester United for several matches, will join Leicester City on Sunday. He signed a contract there until 2027 on Friday, but will not be on the bench for the away match against Brentford FC on Saturday.
Van Nistelrooy held intensive discussions with the club’s management this week, as previously reported by English newspaper The Telegraph. The search for a successor was on the agenda for the Foxes after the separation from Steve Cooper, who had succeeded Enzo Maresca, who left for Chelsea, after his promotion to the Premier League.
Leicester are above the finishing line in England’s elite league, but are just one point ahead of top relegation spot 18, where co-promoted Ipswich Town currently sit. Cooper had to pack his bags after a 2-1 home defeat against Chelsea, that is to say against his predecessor Maresca. He was only in office for twelve league matches. With two wins and four draws, he scored ten points.
It was becoming clear that van Nistelrooy would now end up at Leicester City. The summer before Cooper’s signing, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri had reported on van Nistelrooy as a candidate for the East Midlands club. Here the journalist once again shares information which goes even further than that of the English newspaper. The discussions had already been very concrete this summer, but they have now quickly moved on to serious matters.
During his time at Man United as caretaker manager, former assistant coach van Nistelrooy made a good impression. At the crisis club, Erik ten Hag was 14th in the standings after the 9th day. The former professional managed to secure three wins in four competitive matches and with a draw against Maresca’s Chelsea and a league victory, he has at least revived hopes of a quick connection to the international places. His team won on matchday 11 – van Nistelrooy’s final game with the Red Devils – against his expected new club, Leicester City.
