Ruud van Nistelrooy has shared his excitement after taking charge as Leicester City’s new manager, stating that his primary goal is to “maintain in the Premier League” following a challenging start to the season.
In his first press conference since being appointed last week, the 48-year-old Dutchman expressed pride in being named the new head coach of the Foxes. He acknowledged the club’s current struggles but is eager to make an immediate impact as they fight to avoid relegation. Van Nistelrooy’s appointment came after the dismissal of Steve Cooper following Leicester’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, with the club now looking to turn things around under their new manager.
Van Nistelrooy, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Leicester, took his place in the stands for the Foxes’ 4-1 defeat to Brentford on the weekend, his first match since assuming the role. Reflecting on his decision to join Leicester, the former PSV Eindhoven manager shared how important it was for him to connect with the club’s owner. “When the approach was first there, you think about the club, the set-up, the players,” Van Nistelrooy said. “You want to know about the people who work there, and Enzo knew—what better information to get? We spoke after Chelsea, and he was really positive. He was absolutely right according to the first impressions I get.”
Van Nistelrooy’s brief but impactful stint at Manchester United, where he served as interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s sacking, has given him invaluable Premier League experience. Despite only being in charge for a short time, he was pleased with his role in stabilizing the team and noted that he is now ready for the challenge at Leicester. “It was a good period, short and intense. I was happy to help steady the ship,” he remarked. “They’re now on a run of good results. I enjoyed being responsible and getting a connection with the team. That felt great to do. I’m now in a position to do it again.”
Looking ahead, Van Nistelrooy made it clear that the immediate priority for Leicester is survival in the top flight. “The expectations are clear. They are not easy. It’s to maintain in the Premier League. It’s the big target,” he concluded.
With Leicester currently hovering near the relegation zone, the Dutchman faces a daunting task. However, Van Nistelrooy remains confident that he can help the team find their footing and avoid the drop, bringing much-needed stability to a club in turmoil.
