Leicester City finally managed to halt their losing run with a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, ending a torrid stretch that included an eight-game losing streak and a 76-day goal drought in the Premier League. Goals from Stephy Mavididi and Caleb Okoli gave the Foxes a much-needed lift, but the result does little to ease their relegation fears.
With just six matches left and a 14-point gap to safety, their drop to the Championship seems almost inevitable. Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy appears to be looking ahead already, hinting at plans to use the remaining fixtures to prepare for next season.
Van Nistelrooy planning ahead for life in the Championship
The Dutchman’s recent tactical shift and squad selections support the idea that he’s focusing on the long term. Van Nistelrooy moved away from the usual 5-3-2 formation and gave opportunities to young players like Jake Evans and Olabade Aluko, while sidelining more experienced names such as Victor Kristiansen.
After the match, he said:
“We’ve had a lot of discussions on how to approach the final stretch of the season — how to use these remaining six or seven games to break negative patterns and build towards the future.
“These next six weeks are about helping each player get prepared for what’s next. That includes integrating new players and beginning to shape the squad for the future. It’s a shift we decided on after the Newcastle match, and today’s performance shows it’s the right move.”
Van Nistelrooy hints at staying on for next season
Earlier comments from Van Nistelrooy after the loss to Newcastle had cast doubt on his long-term role, but his tone following the Brighton result suggests he now sees himself leading Leicester into next season — potentially in the Championship.
Reports from his appointment suggested that due to financial constraints, Leicester may not have the option to part ways with the former striker easily. Despite a difficult start to his tenure, Van Nistelrooy’s willingness to adapt and lay foundations for the future could see him remain at the helm for the 2025/26 campaign.
