Van Nistelrooy on Vardy, 'clarity' on his future and fan 'support'

BBC News

23-05-2025

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth (kick-off 16:00 BST).Here are the key lines from his news conference:There are no fresh injury concerns and the travelling squad should be "similar" to last weekend.It was Jamie Vardy's last day at Seagrave Training Ground earlier this week, with today marking "the first day of the post-Jamie Vardy era" at Leicester City. He added: "Jamie made sure he collected everything. He went past all of the departments for a chat and a thank you. Of course he will be welcome back whenever he feels like it."When questioned on how they will approach the game without their preferred striker, he said: "It's clear for the 10 players that play around the striker how we want to play, on and off the ball. I don't think filling in that position with another striker will require a lot of change."He likened Patson Daka to Jamie Vardy because he is able to "make deep runs and be quick in transitions".Bournemouth are a "very direct, quick, strong and physical team" that like to "change positions" in-game. He highlighted Justin Kluivert and Evanilson as two players the Foxes will need to control because of their "dynamic" down the wing.He had a message for the Leicester City fans travelling down to Bournemouth this weekend: "I would like to thank them for their ongoing support, both away and at home. What we have to do, and what we want to do, is give them something to cheer about again. That's the most important thing."After a turnaround in form in recent weeks, he admitted that "it would be good to find out" about his future at the club beyond this season, but there haven't been "any other conversations" between him and the club.When asked about reports this week that suggested his managerial fate has already been decided, he responded: "I read them and go back to my job because that's what I'm here for. That's what my responsibility is. That's where my drive is - to prepare for the games with the players."On whether he is frustrated that it has taken so long to see the fruits of his labour, he admitted: "Of course it is. But that is obviously the time it needed to show through. It is true that it has come too late."He believes a change of mindset has turned the tide for Leicester City in recent weeks: "Six weeks ago, I came into this room and changed the narrative on the season. I turned it to shaping the future and bringing in academy players. Those six weeks have been with development and results, so it's something I want to continue with the players."Early relegation could have been "an opportunity to start planning early" for next season in the Championship. He added: "For me, that is in the club's interest. It's not about me and my future, it's about the good of the football club. I always share that with the board and the chairman, and then of course it is up to them how they want to deal with it."It is "important" to get clarity not only for himself, but also for the club and the supporters. He explained: "We will all find out, hopefully sooner rather than later. I think it's important, for the club and the supporters, for it to be clear what the plan for next season is. It is going to be a big one."Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news