Ruud van Nistelrooy on Brink of Leicester City Exit After Relegation Confirmed
Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to be dismissed from his role as Leicester City manager “imminently” following the club’s confirmed relegation from the Premier League.
That’s according to former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains closely linked to key football figures. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Brown revealed that Van Nistelrooy’s time at the King Power Stadium is effectively over.
Leicester’s relegation was sealed after a loss to Liverpool, combined with Wolves beating Man United and West Ham drawing against Southampton, leaving the Foxes mathematically doomed.
Back on 11 April, Football Insider reported that Van Nistelrooy had emerged as the leading candidate to be the next Premier League manager sacked after failing to turn around the club’s fortunes.
Since taking over from Steve Cooper in November, Van Nistelrooy has overseen a difficult run, managing just two league wins. His side has struggled both defensively and offensively—conceding 50 goals and scoring only 16, while currently enduring an 11-game winless streak.
Brown stated earlier this month that the decision to remove the Dutchman would be made before the end of the campaign, stressing the club’s desire for a new face to lead their return to the Championship.
“Ruud is someone I respect deeply,” Brown said. “But the reality is, if you lose eight or nine games in a row in the Premier League, no matter who you are, your job is on the line.
“With Leicester now relegated, I’d be more surprised if he didn’t leave. The decision is coming very soon.”
Brown added that club leadership does not view Van Nistelrooy as the right man to guide them back to the Premier League and has already begun exploring alternatives.
“There’s a massive rebuild ahead—not just with the manager, but the entire squad. The Championship is brutal and demands depth and quality,” Brown explained.
Russell Martin and Sean Dyche Eyed as Potential Successors
Leicester have already started the search for a new manager, with Southampton boss Russell Martin and Everton’s Sean Dyche reportedly on the shortlist.
As the Foxes prepare for life in the second tier, the board is also evaluating the club’s long-term direction, playing philosophy, and squad depth, all of which will be crucial in what promises to be a pivotal summer.
