Leicester City is reportedly set to appoint former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new manager, following the dismissal of Steve Cooper.
Van Nistelrooy, who recently ended a brief stint as Manchester United’s interim head coach, has emerged as the top candidate for the job. His potential appointment comes after discussions with Leicester’s hierarchy earlier this week, according to reports from The Telegraph.
The 48-year-old Dutchman stepped into Manchester United’s managerial role temporarily in October after Erik ten Hag was sacked. During his tenure, Van Nistelrooy guided the team to three victories in four matches, including successive wins against Leicester. However, his role concluded with the arrival of Ruben Amorim as United’s permanent manager.
Leicester parted ways with Steve Cooper on Sunday, citing poor performance after the team earned only 10 points in 12 Premier League games. The club is looking to Van Nistelrooy to bring fresh momentum to their season, with his appointment expected before their upcoming clash against Brentford on Saturday.
Van Nistelrooy, previously the manager of PSV Eindhoven, is a free agent, which makes him an attractive option for Leicester. Despite expressing interest in staying at Manchester United under Amorim, Van Nistelrooy was not retained.
Other managerial candidates, including Graham Potter and David Moyes, have reportedly been ruled out, strengthening Van Nistelrooy’s case as the Foxes’ next leader.
If appointed, Van Nistelrooy will aim to steer Leicester away from their current struggles and revitalise the team’s prospects under new management.