Leicester City may be searching for a new manager to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy at the end of the 2024/25 season after a disastrous tenure under the Dutchman.
Since replacing Steve Cooper with Van Nistelrooy in November, Leicester’s fortunes have plummeted, leaving them on the brink of relegation to the Championship. The Foxes have lost 13 of their last 14 league games and currently sit nine points behind 17th-placed Wolves with less than 10 matches remaining.
Fans have been vocal in calling for Van Nistelrooy’s dismissal, both at the King Power Stadium and on social media, but Leicester are unable to part ways with him after already paying off Cooper earlier in the season. However, if a change is eventually made, the club has a potential successor in mind.
Liam Rosenior Emerges as Leicester’s Top Target
According to L’Équipe, Leicester have identified Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior as a prime candidate to take over from Van Nistelrooy. Southampton are also monitoring the 40-year-old, but neither club is seen as an immediate threat to his position in France.
Rosenior has impressed since taking charge of Strasbourg in the summer, guiding them to seventh place in Ligue 1 and putting them just a point away from European qualification. His growing reputation as one of England’s brightest young managers stems largely from his successful stint at Hull City.
Appointed in November 2022 with Hull battling relegation, Rosenior transformed them into one of the Championship’s most resilient defensive units and secured their safety. He then led Hull to the brink of the play-offs last season, narrowly missing out on a top-six finish by just three points following a late collapse.
Despite his achievements, Rosenior was surprisingly dismissed by Hull owner Acun Ilicali in May, as the Turkish businessman was frustrated that a play-off spot was not secured despite heavy spending in January 2024, which included the loan signing of Fabio Carvalho and the purchase of Ryan Giles from Luton Town.
Rosenior Got the Better of Leicester in 2023/24
Rosenior further enhanced his reputation by masterminding a tactical victory over Leicester during the 2023/24 Championship season. In September 2023, Hull City stunned Enzo Maresca’s high-flying Foxes with a 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium, ending Leicester’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
Reflecting on the victory, Rosenior said: “It feels great to come to a massive club with a fantastic coach and team and get the win. But more importantly, the manner of the performance was outstanding. We stuck to our game plan, pressed the ball well, and played some great football. It’s a process, and this win gives the lads confidence that we can have a successful season.”
With Leicester’s current situation looking bleak, Rosenior could be the man to rebuild the Foxes and guide them back to success if Van Nistelrooy’s time comes to an end.
