Leicester City have announced the appointment of former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new head coach. The 48-year-old Dutchman has signed a contract running until the end of the 2027 season, replacing Steve Cooper, who was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last Sunday.
Van Nistelrooy will attend Leicester’s Premier League match against Brentford on Saturday, although first-team coach Ben Dawson will lead the team on the day. The new manager is set to officially begin his duties the following day, with his first match in charge scheduled for Tuesday against West Ham United.
In his first statement as Leicester boss, Van Nistelrooy expressed enthusiasm about the role: “I’m proud, I’m excited,” Van Nistelrooy said in a statement. “Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic. They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive. I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club.”
The club’s chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, welcomed the Dutchman, highlighting his winning mentality and experience:”It is my pleasure to welcome Ruud to Leicester City,” chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said. “He joins a club with a rich history, passionate supporters, and a talented squad, and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together. “Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us, and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our club.”
Van Nistelrooy’s managerial career includes a stint at PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Dutch Cup during the 2022-23 season before stepping down. Most recently, he served as interim manager at Manchester United, securing three wins and a draw in four matches before being succeeded by Ruben Amorim.
His appointment marks a significant chapter for Leicester City, a club that enjoyed a fairy-tale Premier League title win in 2015-16 but experienced relegation in 2023. They quickly bounced back to the top flight under Enzo Maresca, who later joined Chelsea.
Currently 16th in the Premier League and one point above the relegation zone, Leicester face a critical period as they seek stability under their new manager.
