New Leicester Boss Van Nistelrooy 'Astonished' by Post-Manchester United Opportunities

New Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy shares his surprise at the flood of job offers he received after leaving Manchester United.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, the newly appointed manager of Leicester City, is looking to bring a positive vibe to the team and make a quick impact on the players. His primary goal is to ensure the team remains in the English top flight.

Van Nistelrooy, a former Manchester United striker, took over the reins on Friday, replacing Steve Cooper. With the team hovering just a point above the relegation zone after three consecutive league defeats, he needs to hit the ground running.

Interestingly, Van Nistelrooy expressed surprise at the level of interest he received after his interim stint at Manchester United. He mentioned that the opportunities that came his way after those four games were astonishing, especially considering his previous experience as PSV manager and his time with the Netherlands' coaching staff.

When questioned about the team's morale, Ruud van Nistelrooy acknowledged that lifting the players' spirits was a top priority. “That is what needed to be done,” he told reporters. Reflecting on his brief time at the club, Van Nistelrooy added, “Sunday was the first time that I was here. Was it yesterday? It feels longer.”

Van Nistelrooy, who spoke to the press ahead of Tuesday's home match against West Ham United, emphasized the importance of addressing the team's challenges head-on. “I had a meeting with the players and it was the first thing to address,” he explained. “The situation we're in, the challenge that we face, and what's necessary to get out of that situation.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy is aware that transforming the team's performance overnight is unrealistic, but he has already begun implementing changes. “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 explained.

The road ahead will be challenging for Leicester City, with a daunting schedule of fixtures in December. The team is set to face off against Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Manchester City, a series of matches that will put Van Nistelrooy's newly implemented strategies to the test.

Leicester City's recent history has been marked by significant highs and lows. The team's stunning Premier League title win in 2016 was followed by relegation in 2023. However, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, Leicester City secured promotion back to the top flight, only for Maresca to depart for Chelsea.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed that Enzo Maresca played a crucial role in his decision to take the Leicester City job. The two share a personal connection, having played together at Malaga. Van Nistelrooy explained, “You're curious about the people who work there and Enzo, being a great friend and former teammate, he was the first one to call.” He added, “What better information could I get?” Van Nistelrooy also recalled a conversation with Maresca during his time as Manchester United's interim boss, saying, “When we played against each other in the Premier League - when I was Manchester United interim boss against Chelsea - half an hour we spoke.”

“I didn't know yet about Leicester but we spoke about it and he was already very positive (after managing them).

 “That only got better when I spoke to him. I have to say he was absolutely right, according to first impressions.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy's coaching career has been marked by significant milestones, including his tenure as interim coach at Manchester United. During his brief stint, he led the team to three victories and a draw in all competitions. Van Nistelrooy's experience at Manchester United had a profound impact on his coaching profile, as he explained: “What happened after the games and the amount of interest all of a sudden was there for me and the options which came along.”

Van Nistelrooy expressed surprise at the overwhelming response he received from the football world following his interim coaching role at Manchester United. “I was astonished by it,” he admitted. Despite having managed a full season at PSV, winning a cup and the charity shield, and having coaching experience with the Under-19s and the national team, Van Nistelrooy noted that he had never received such a strong reaction from the football world. “I never got this reaction from the football world,” he said. “I was happy with that. I was then able to talk to different parties and make a decision.

“I didn't know yet about Leicester but we spoke about it and he was already very positive (after managing them).

“That only got better when I spoke to him. I have to say he was absolutely right, according to first impressions.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy's coaching career has been marked by significant milestones, including his tenure at PSV Eindhoven, which began in 2022. Most recently, he served as interim coach at Manchester United, leading the team to three victories and a draw in all competitions before departing last month.

Van Nistelrooy acknowledged that his brief stint at Manchester United had a profound impact on his coaching profile. “What happened after the games and the amount of interest all of a sudden was there for me and the options which came along,” he reflected, highlighting the increased attention and opportunities that arose as a result of his successful interim tenure.

“I didn't know yet about Leicester but we spoke about it and he was already very positive (after managing them).

“That only got better when I spoke to him. I have to say he was absolutely right, according to first impressions.”