While it’s still unclear whether Van Nistelrooy is open to managing in the Championship, he has spoken about his desire to bounce back next season and outlined what he believes needs to change to achieve that.
Inside the club, opinions on his future are divided. According to The Athletic, Van Nistelrooy is respected for how he’s conducted himself during a difficult and turbulent spell in charge.
There’s also recognition that he inherited a challenging situation, taking over a squad assembled by a predecessor who lasted only 12 league games.
That context—along with Van Nistelrooy’s track record of developing young players during his time at PSV—could yet persuade chairman Khun Top to stick with him at Leicester.
However, such a decision may not sit well with supporters, many of whom are thought to favour a clean break and new leadership in the Championship. Fan frustration is high following a record-breaking run of nine straight home league defeats without scoring.
Van Nistelrooy expressed his anger after the most recent loss, a 3-0 defeat to Wolves, delivering a scathing assessment of his team’s display. “I look at the performance and that wasn’t good enough,” he told Match of the Day.
“I’m not talking about tactics or style—I’m talking about intensity and desire. We lost the ball too easily, especially in the first half. In the second half, yes, we conceded two goals on the counter, but we showed some improvement. Still, today simply wasn’t good enough.”
