Ruud van Nistelrooy delivers update on his future after Leicester's Premier League relegation following nightmare run of 16 losses in 18 games
Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted he is still uncertain whether he will keep his job following the club's relegation to the Championship.
The Foxes, who have picked up just 18 points from 33 games, had their relegation confirmed with five matches remaining after their 1-0 home loss to Liverpool last weekend.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, was appointed Leicester boss in December following the sacking of Steve Cooper after just 157 days in charge but failed to prevent an immediate return to the second tier.
The Dutchman earned a mere eight points from 20 league matches, while his side haven't scored in nine home league games, the worst run in top-flight history.
Van Nistelrooy said he has spoken with Leicester's owners and the board about 'how we move forward as a club'.
'I know what my plan is to bring the club back but I am waiting on alignment,' he said.
'The quicker the better for the football club.'
Although it was hoped that the former Manchester United star could spark an upturn in form for the East Midlands outfit, he has overseen a run of 16 defeats in their past 18 league matches.
Now they must dust themselves off to focus on another push to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, as they did under Enzo Maresca last campaign before he was snapped up by Chelsea.
On Sunday, a light aeroplane flew close over the King Power Stadium in a protest against the club's ownership, with the banner: 'King Power Clueless. Sack The Board.'
Director of football Jon Rudkin has been targeted by supporter chants throughout the campaign. Rudkin is a trusted ally of Leicester and chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha but finds himself in the spotlight for the club's mixed transfer record in recent times.
Srivaddhanaprabha is also the chairman of Thai travel group King Power, the sponsor and namesake for Leicester's home ground.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his job, van Nistelrooy believes Leicester should build their promotion campaign around homegrown players next season.
Meanwhile, 38-year-old club legend Jamie Vardy will leave the club at the end of the season, closing the door on one of English football's fairytales.
It comes days after Vardy took to social media to express his 'anger and sadness' at a season he called a 'total embarrassment' and a 's***show'.
Although he turns 39 in January, he does not plan to call it a day and has expressed confidence in the past that he can continue playing beyond his 40th birthday.
Confirming the news of his exit, Vardy – who also won 26 caps for England – said: 'To the fans of Leicester: gutted this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually.
'It has been 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, some downs, but the majority all highs. It's finally time to call it a day, which I'm devastated about but I think the timing is right.
'I just want to sincerely thank you all for taking you in as one of your own. Leicester will always have a massive place in my heart and I'll make sure I'll be following in the years to come in what I hope will be even more success for the club.
'As for now, this is my goodbye, but you will see me again soon I promise. Thank you.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
14 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Katie McCabe praises Renee Slegers' honesty after Arsenal's European success
McCabe, who has spent a decade with the Gunners, was welcomed back to international camp by a guard of honour to celebrate Arsenal's European triumph over Barcelona, the first time an English side had lifted the trophy in 18 years. Katie McCabe was front and centre during Arsenal's trophy parade (Adam Davy/PA) 'With Renee, that relationship and the direct line of communication from player to manager is so important to her,' McCabe told the PA news agency. 'You'll have to ask her why that is, but in my opinion, I think it's because she's been a player before, she understands how it is sometimes, maybe if you're going through a rough patch, or maybe on the other end you're flying with confidence, but she gets that. 'She makes time for us, which is really important, and we massively respect her for that.' McCabe has spent the last 10 years at Arsenal (Cadbury handout/PA) Former midfielder Slegers, who split her senior career between the Netherlands and Sweden, took charge of Arsenal on an interim basis in October before being appointed full time in January. Slegers reportedly holds open-floor meetings where players are encouraged to set the agenda. And while she is very much the boss, unafraid to make difficult decisions, Slegers was equally at ease letting loose with her players in front of the thousands who gathered to greet the team outside the Emirates Stadium. 'She's obviously an ex player, so that's one aspect to (her success),' McCabe said. 'I think the calmness she has, the directness in what she wants, but also the way she is able to instill belief in the team and the players, whether you are in the starting 11 or you've come on to make an impact, it's all about the team for her. 'Not just the players, but the staff as well.' McCabe could field a football team from her own family – 11 siblings altogether – but admits she has barely had time to take in Arsenal's accomplishment, let alone the reaction from back home. 'I haven't had that moment yet,' she added. 'I feel like there's been little moments over the last few days, and when I got my mum and dad down on the pitch after and you're kind of stood there with the trophy in your hand, that was a moment I was really proud of. 'They've sacrificed a lot and it's not easy juggling 11 kids and trying to drive me all over the country. 'I'm sure I'll have loads of moments coming up over the next few weeks, but the win absolutely topped off an incredible year.' Cadbury Ambassador Katie McCabe is calling for the nation to nominate a local Game Changer for a chance to win a surprise visit from a Cadbury Ambassador. To find nominate head to @cadburyuk on Instagram.
Daily Mirror
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes' decision to leave after manager exit left team underperforming
Bruno Fernandes has been offered the opportunity to escape Manchester United this summer in favour of the Saudi Pro League, with his potential departure reminiscent of his time in Serie A Bruno Fernandes once quit his former club Udinese because they were underperforming - a move that mirrors his current situation at Manchester United. The Portuguese international has reportedly become a top target for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal ahead of the summer transfer window. Despite being under contract until the summer of 2026, Fernandes ' agent recently met with Al-Hilal officials at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, where there were positive talks between the two parties stretching late into the night. The Saudi club are understood to have made the United captain a lucrative offer. Yet, they reportedly informed him that it is a one-time opportunity as they look to sign him within the next fortnight so he is eligible to play at the Club World Cup. Reports also state the 30-year-old is seriously considering leaving Old Trafford in a staggering £100million transfer after a dismal season under head coach Ruben Amorim, where United endured their worst ever Premier League finish. While it is still not clear whether Fernandes will part ways this summer, he once left Serie A side Udinese for similar reasons. The playmaker moved to Italy aged 17 and spent five years in Italy, initially at Novara before a move to Udinese in 2013. But after an impressive first season with the side, his manager Francesco Guidolin decided to step back from coaching, which played a key role in Fernandes leaving for Sampdoria in 2016. In a stark parallel to his time at United, Fernandes recalled that Udinese team having quality players but not being able to produce what was expected of them. He said in an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio via Get Italian Football News: 'The three years I spent at Udinese were not easy in terms of the team because we didn't have great campaigns, except for the first one where we had a great squad. We had a strong team, but we weren't able to achieve what was expected of us. 'Then in the second and third year they decided to change manager after so long with Guidolin, and it didn't go very well. Guidolin had managed to get the most of my abilities, and made me understand that I had to train more, but he had faith in me.' Fernandes, who joined United in January 2020 from Sporting CP, made the emotional admission years later that his time in Italy left him wanting to quit football altogether. It was there, whilst playing for Udinese, that he got extremely homesick and lonely, which forced him to reconsider his career path. Discussing his time in Serie A, he told the Players' Tribune: "I was all on my own at 17 in a new country. I didn't speak the language, and I didn't know anyone, and let me tell you, it was hard. It was unbelievably hard and lonely. There were times when I wanted to quit, absolutely." Fernandes revealed it was his father who instilled a mentality in him to constantly strive for improvement, and admitted he would not have "survived" playing in Italy were it not for that attitude. After a season at Sampdoria, Fernandes returned to his homeland for Sporting, where he thrived before United came calling. He has comfortably been the Red Devils' best performer since then, winning their Player of the Season award four times, including this campaign. Old Trafford chiefs are understood to be relaxed about his current situation, wanting to keep their talisman while still being prepared to entertain bids for any player. The club's failure to secure Champions League football by losing the Europa League final has only heightened their need to sell players in order to rebuild the squad while still complying with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules.
South Wales Argus
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Katie McCabe praises Renee Slegers' honesty after Arsenal's European success
It has been a whirlwind week for Republic of Ireland captain McCabe, who lifted the Champions League trophy in Lisbon last Saturday, was front-and-centre at Monday's London celebrations, then flew to Turkey to play in a vital 2-1 Nations League victory for her country. McCabe, who has spent a decade with the Gunners, was welcomed back to international camp by a guard of honour to celebrate Arsenal's European triumph over Barcelona, the first time an English side had lifted the trophy in 18 years. Katie McCabe was front and centre during Arsenal's trophy parade (Adam Davy/PA) 'With Renee, that relationship and the direct line of communication from player to manager is so important to her,' McCabe said about the former Arsenal assistant who took charge on an interim basis in October before being appointed full time in January. 'You'll have to ask her why that is, but in my opinion, I think it's because she's been a player before, she understands how it is sometimes, maybe if you're going through a rough patch, or maybe on the other end you're flying with confidence, but she gets that. 'She makes time for us, which is really important, and we massively respect her for that.' McCabe has spent the last 10 years at Arsenal (Cadbury handout/PA) Former midfielder Slegers, who split her senior career between the Netherlands and Sweden, reportedly holds open-floor meetings where players are encouraged to set the agenda. And while she is very much the boss, unafraid to make difficult decisions, Slegers was equally at ease letting loose with her players in front of the thousands who gathered to greet the team outside the Emirates Stadium. 'She's obviously an ex player, so that's one aspect to (her success),' McCabe said. 'I think the calmness she has, the directness in what she wants, but also the way she is able to instill belief in the team and the players, whether you are in the starting 11 or you've come on to make an impact, it's all about the team for her. 'Not just the players, but the staff as well.' McCabe could field a football team from her own family – 11 siblings altogether – but admits she has barely had time to take in Arsenal's accomplishment, let alone the reaction from back home. 'I haven't had that moment yet,' she added. 'I feel like there's been little moments over the last few days, and when I got my mum and dad down on the pitch after and you're kind of stood there with the trophy in your hand, that was a moment I was really proud of. 'They've sacrificed a lot and it's not easy juggling 11 kids and trying to drive me all over the country. 'I'm sure I'll have loads of moments coming up over the next few weeks, but the win absolutely topped off an incredible year.' Cadbury Ambassador Katie McCabe is calling for the nation to nominate a local Game Changer for a chance to win a surprise visit from a Cadbury Ambassador. To find nominate head to @cadburyuk on Instagram.
