Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to accept an offer from Leicester City to become their new manager and should be in charge for their game against Brentford on Saturday.
It is thought Van Nistelrooy is currently at his home in the Netherlands, but his appointment could be confirmed quickly. There are still details and contractual issues to be agreed and he has not signed anything yet, but there is optimism on both sides the deal will be completed soon.
Van Nistelrooy has been exploring opportunities to become a number one and Sky Sports News understands he had a number of offers from other European clubs.
Leicester had considered the former Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac and the current West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan as possible candidates, but have now decided Van Nistelrooy is their preferred choice.
The decision has been taken by club owner Aiyawatt Shrivadhannaprabha – known as “Top” – who took personal responsibility for the appointment, with director of football Jon Rudkin preparing a list of candidates.
Van Nistelrooy was appointed as assistant manager at Manchester United in the summer having been out of work since quitting as PSV Eindhoven boss before the end of the 2022-23 season.
He became interim head coach when Erik ten Hag was sacked in October and twice beat Leicester – 5-2 in the Carabao Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League – to stay unbeaten in his four games in charge before the club confirmed his departure following Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
“This has always felt like a really big appointment. If you look at Leicester’s recent history, they have gone through a few managers. The last time they were in the Premier League they sacked Brendan Rodgers in April, they only gave Dean Smith eight games to bid for survival and weren’t successful.
“Enzo Maresca led them back to the Premier League last season but then left for Chelsea. Steve Cooper only lasted 12 Premier League games. So, this feels like a really important appointment, led by the chairman. Leicester have been considering a number of options, but, because paying compensation has been a consideration, they have gone for a free agent in Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“We saw what he was able to do during his four-game interim period at Man United, not just the results but scoring a bucket-load of goals too. He showed an immediate improvement.
“Leicester need a reconnection between the team and fans, and Van Nistelrooy is a very good communicator. They want someone they can get behind and support. This is an exciting appointment.”
Why did Leicester sack Cooper?
Analysis by Sky Sports News’ Danyal Khan and Lyall Thomas:
“Despite sitting 16th, with 10 points from 12 games, the club believe taking this decision now gives them the best chance of staying in the Premier League.
“There is a feeling in the club’s hierarchy that they could be higher than they are; they’ve failed to beat Ipswich and Everton, with performances also increasingly a concern.
“It is clear Cooper has been trying to implement the style he wants and make the changes he believed were necessary to improve things – but there was understood to be resistance from and a disconnect with the players.
Leicester City sacked Steve Cooper after winning just two in twelve games during his first five months in charge
“This is said to have increased concerns internally over Premier League safety, while it is also evident there has been a lack of connection between Cooper and the fans since he took charge in the summer.
“After promotion, Leicester spent less in the summer transfer market than the other two promoted teams and lost a key player in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea.
“Their highest spend was around £20m on Oliver Skipp, while they brought in Bobby Decordova-Reid on a free transfer and two players on loan from other Premier League clubs.
“The club have acted swiftly in comparison the 2022/23 season, in which they parted ways with Brendan Rodgers as late as April and replaced him with Dean Smith before ultimately being relegated.”
