Ruud van Nistelrooy To Be Named New Leicester Manager After Man Utd Exit

Ruud van Nistelrooy is on the brink of being named the new manager of Leicester City.

Sources in Holland believe a deal is close between the Premier League strugglers and the 48-year-old Dutchman, who departed the coaching staff at Manchester United earlier this month following the arrival of new boss Ruben Amorim.

The Foxes quickly identified Van Nistelrooy as having the right qualities to unite the King Power dressing room after Steve Cooper lost the backing of his players and subsequently the Leicester owners before being sacked in the aftermath of the 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea.

Van Nistelrooy was unbeaten in four games as interim United manager following Erik ten Hag’s departure from Old Trafford – and was disappointed not to be offered a job in Amorim’s backroom team.

Former club Hamburg wanted him as their new coach but the prospect of going into 2. Bundesliga didn’t excite the ex-Holland striker after his taste of the Premier League.

Van Nistelrooy impressively rallied United’s players following the sacking of Ten Hag and was in the running to remain in charge until the end of the season until Amorim made it clear he would welcome the opportunity to leave Sporting Lisbon for a crack at the biggest managerial job in England.

He also has extensive knowledge of the Premier League and started preparing himself for a move back to England after leaving PSV Eindhoven 18 months ago after a successful season in charge of the Eredivisie club.

Van Nistelrooy rejected the chance to become Burnley boss in the summer when United approached him. It is believed he will be given a two-and-a-half-year contract after demanding some measure of security in his negotiations with Leicester.

The Foxes, promoted to the top-flight under Enzo Maresca last season, are currently lying 16th in the table after winning twice in their opening 12 games with Cooper at the helm.