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

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

BBC News23-05-2025

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

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bath-bound Arundell returns to England set-up
Bath-bound Arundell returns to England set-up

BBC News

time16 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Bath-bound Arundell returns to England set-up

Henry Arundell has been drafted straight back into the England set-up after playing his final game for French side Racing has joined this week's four-day training camp before a potential return to Test action next 22-year-old wing, who joined Racing in 2023, has agreed a return to the Premiership with Bath for next season, making him available for England selection once again now his time in France has come to an burst on to the scene with London Irish and came off the bench to score a try on his Test debut against Australia in July Irish went into administration in June 2023 and while Arundell was given dispensation to play at the Rugby World Cup later that year, where he scored five tries in the pool-stage win over Chile, he signed a contract extension in Paris in December that made him unavailable to head coach Steve scored a hat-trick on his Racing debut, but could not maintain that rich form as the club struggled to 10th place in their most recent Top 14 England boss Stuart Lancaster was sacked as Racing head coach in January and Arundell's move to Bath marks an early end to his contract with the big-spending French scored two tries in his final game for Racing at the weekend as he returned after five months out of top-end pace will be welcomed by Borthwick with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's speed sorely missed during the Exeter wing's time out with injury. An ability to play at full-back is also an asset as England experiment with forward-heavy benches that require versatile players in the will play a France XV at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on Saturday, 21 June, before selecting a squad to play two Tests against Argentina and a match against the United States in July.

Sessegnon was an 'enigma'
Sessegnon was an 'enigma'

BBC News

time21 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Sessegnon was an 'enigma'

Throughout Wednesday, we are revealing who Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini believes are the club's most skilful players next in third place is Stephane Sessegnon. Sessegnon made almost 100 appearances for the Black Cats during his two-and-a-half-year stint at the club after signing from Paris St-Germain in 2011. During that time, he played under three different managers and scored 18 goals. His spell at Sunderland came to an end following a dispute with then-manager Paulo Di Canio. Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle that Sessegnon was inconsistent but had the ability to get the supporters on the edge of their seats. "He was an enigma - some days he could be quiet," Gabbiadini recalled. "I was a little bit down on him as consistency-wise and team-player-wise, I think he lacked a little bit. But he had the ability to have those moments where you went: 'Wow, how does he do that?'"He did have a good record at Sunderland and at other clubs as well. He had some great moments when he was at the club. "Listen on BBC Sounds - and return later for the top two!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store