Since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over as Leicester City manager in late November 2024, the team’s performance has sharply declined.
Although the Foxes were already struggling in the Premier League prior to the Dutchman’s arrival, the statistics suggest things have deteriorated further under his leadership compared to former boss Steve Cooper.
Such poor form has led to growing unrest among fans, with some calling for van Nistelrooy’s resignation following Wednesday’s loss to Manchester City.
Amid links to potential replacements like Danny Rohl, van Nistelrooy has addressed speculation over his future.
Van Nistelrooy says clarity with Leicester Board is crucial
Speaking ahead of Monday’s clash with Newcastle on the When You’re Smiling podcast from BBC Radio Leicester, van Nistelrooy hinted that he might not remain in charge beyond this season.
The 48-year-old said: “We need to figure things out in the coming weeks.”
He noted the challenges of joining mid-season and managing with limited reinforcements in January, saying: “It’s very important for me to be aligned moving forward.”
He stressed the urgency, adding: “That alignment with the Board has to happen. It should’ve been sorted yesterday.”
Alongside Rohl, Leicester have also been linked with Liam Rosenior, pointing to a possible change on the horizon.
Leicester’s struggles go beyond the dugout
Van Nistelrooy’s position has come under increasing scrutiny amid a dismal home record — a loss to Newcastle would mark a historic low, breaking a 141-year club record for home defeats in a top-flight campaign.
But not all the blame falls on the current manager. Despite significant summer investment, Leicester only added Woyo Coulibaly from Parma in January for £3 million, leaving van Nistelrooy to work with a squad built for Cooper.
Still, questions remain over whether he’s getting the best out of the players available.
As a result, Leicester may look to hit the reset button this summer, especially with alternative managerial options in the frame.
