Latest news with #RuudVanNistelrooy
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
A season to forget for Leicester as they look for a new era
The season will hardly be remembered fondly. Relegation, a record-equalling run of defeats, division between the fans and the club, a change of manager, the departure of a legend and a season-ending profit and sustainability charge. Ruud Van Nistelrooy replaced Steve Cooper in November and the change did not work. The Dutchman has carried himself extremely well - as you would expect for someone of his experience in the game - but failed to get results. He lost 19 of his 27 games, winning five - with two of those coming in the last four matches when the Foxes had already been him Leicester became the first Premier League team to lose eight games in a row without scoring during a run of defeats between February and April, which also equalled the club's record losing streak. It leaves Van Nistelrooy in a fragile position, with the expectation he will leave while Russell Martin is a leading contender to replace him. Fans called for the departure of director of football Jon Rudkin, who they view as key in their decline following two relegations in three years yet there seems to be no appetite to change at the top. Leicester are entering a new era - one post Jamie Vardy - with the striker leaving at the end of his contract next month. He is the last of the 2016 title winners left and the Foxes must find a new direction in the Championship next season, even as they look to avoid a points deduction.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Fan scorecard: Unsung hero? Overriding emotion?
Season rating: 1/10. I fail to think of anything positive to say about what is possibly the worst season since the Frank McLintock season of with your manager? Is this a trick question? I would be happier with piles. After a few games when things started to pick up and look better, we had Ruud van Nistelrooy going back to his old drawing board against hero: Luke Thomas. One-time target of the terrace boo boys and social media keyboard warriors. After torrid loans at Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, he stood up to the mark when given the chance. He does walk a bit lopsided - probably caused by still having Mohamed Salah in his you would most like to sign: I am going against almost everything I have been saying all season, but I would like to sign... JAMIE VARDY!Not his best season by any stretch of the imagination. Not since 2005-06 have we had a season with the top goalscorer having so low a number as 10. But we love his leadership, commitment and effort. Let's be honest, with the service Vardy got this season, Lionel Messi wouldn't have now, my overriding emotion from the season is: Anger! Anger that this owner has let the club his family turned into champions, and set the example for the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford to follow, become a laughing stock. The big six, who said they must never let another Leicester happen again, must be celebrating our demise. Tough decisions have to be made at executive level, but can Kuhn Top make them?Do you agree with Chris' answers? Pick one or two categories and send your views Find more from Chris Forryan at Leicester Till I Die, external
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Cannot remember a worse season in 50 years'
We asked for your views on Leicester's performance against Bournemouth, and their season are some of your comments:Lindsay: I feel terrible. The manager never dramatically changed his style or first XI and left out in-form academy stars that were proving themselves in their squads. Ruud van Nistelrooy has to go and we need a proven manager who can bring in fresh players and merge them with the young stars of the academy, as long as PSR allows We spent far too long chasing Graham Potter, but Harry Potter couldn't have kept us up this season. If Ruud wants to stay, I'd stick with him and give him the opportunity to build something. The clearout needs to be substantial, Been going down the City for over 50 years and I'm certain there were more miserable seasons - but I can't remember one. Hollywood managerial signings very rarely work out The longer it takes to make the change we all know needs to come, the poorer the pool of replacements will be, and the weaker the group of free agents will be. I would get Russell Martin in quickly so he can revive the squad with fresh Absolutely rubbish all season. Top needs to replace both Jon Rudkin and Susan Whelan straight away so the club can start afresh next season. I feel sorry for Ruud.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Van Nistelrooy still waiting on Leicester future
Leicester boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy wants to stay at the Foxes but has not been told if he has a future at the former Manchester United striker's position has been under threat after Leicester were relegated from the Premier League last month. Reports have linked former Southampton head coach Russell Martin with the job and BBC Sport has been told by a well-placed source he is a Nistelrooy has lost 18 of his 26 games since replacing Steve Cooper in November. He said: "If that's what they (Leicester's board) want - then we can find out. There haven't been any other conversations."They know what I think and how I see things - it is up to them to respond to that. We will all find out, hopefully sooner rather than later."I read them (the reports) and I go back to my job because that's what I'm here for. That's what my responsibility is and what my drive is - to prepare for the game on Sunday with the players."Six weeks ago, I came into this room and changed the narrative on the season - shaping the future, bringing in academy players. We had to because of the relegation."Those six weeks have been development and results. That's something I want to continue with the players."We wanted to break some cycles which we also achieved, bring some positives towards the end of the season and take it into the new season. Now it's the last game on Sunday and we're focused on that."Leicester are 18th in the Premier League and travel to Bournemouth for the final game of the season.
BreakingNews.ie
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
A closer look at Manchester United's route to the Europa League final
Manchester United will attempt to win a sixth European title when they take on fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham in the Europa League final. Here, we take a look at how they made it to the Bilbao showpiece on May 21st. Advertisement Group stage: Man Utd – third of 36 teams, 18pts The 2024/25 #UEL league phase ✅ — UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) January 30, 2025 United made an inauspicious start to the new-look group phase under Erik ten Hag, whose former club Twente secured a shock 1-1 Old Trafford draw in September. Harry Maguire's late goal saw the 10-man Red Devils record a 3-3 draw at Porto the following month, before Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce held them to a 1-1 stalemate in Turkey. After Ten Hag was sacked, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw the end of United's 380-day wait for a European win by beating PAOK 2-0 at Old Trafford, where Ruben Amorim took charge for the first time in the hard-fought 3-2 triumph against eventual semi-finalists Bodo/Glimt. United followed that up with 2-1 wins away to Viktoria Plzen and at home to Rangers, before rounding things off with a 2-0 victory over FCSB in Romania as they avoided the knockout phase play-offs. Last 16: Real Sociedad – 1-1 (a); 4-1 (h); 5-2 on aggregate Enough said. — Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 13, 2025 Absentee-hit United failed to turn a positive performance into victory in San Sebastian, where Joshua Zirkzee put the visitors into a deserved lead only for Mikel Oyarzabal to level from the spot with the hosts' first shot on target. The VAR spotted a handball from Bruno Fernandes, whose second-leg hat-trick inspired an eye-catching comeback win against 10-man Real Sociedad. Oyarzabal's second penalty of the tie had given United a scare, before the captain's treble and a Diogo Dalot effort. Quarter-finals: Lyon – 2-2 (a); 5-4 (AET) (h); 7-6 on aggregate after extra-time View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manchester United (@manchesterunited) Andre Onana endured a nightmare first leg in France, where his war of words with Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic was followed by him all-too easily allowing in a Thiago Almada free-kick. Leny Yoro and Zirkzee put United ahead, but the under-fire goalkeeper parried the ball into the path of Rayan Cherki to level in stoppage-time. A scarcely-believable second leg followed at Old Trafford. Manuel Ugarte and Dalot first-half efforts had United in control, only for the visitors to score four without reply. Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico goals in quick succession took the match to extra-time, when Lyon kicked on despite Tolisso's sending off for two bookable offences as Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette rocked the home side. But Amorim's men dug deep as a Fernandes penalty was followed by Kobbie Mainoo's excellent 120th-minute leveller and Maguire's match-winning header moments later. Semi-finals: Athletic Bilbao – 3-0 (a); 4-1 (h); 7-1 on aggregate View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manchester United (@manchesterunited) Sport Harry Maguire says Man Utd players surprised by 'i... Read More The Premier League side sealed their place in the final by overcoming Bilbao, whose San Mames stadium was stunned as Amorim oversaw a famous away win. Athletic flew out the blocks in the first leg but imploded after Casemiro put United ahead in the 30th minute, with Fernandes keeping his cool to score from the spot after Dani Vivian saw red for bringing down Rasmus Hojlund. The nerveless captain added another before the break to complete a 3-0 victory for the Red Devils, who bounced back from Mikel Jaureguizar's brilliant opener in the reverse fixture. Substitute Mason Mount settled nerves through his fantastic turn and finish, with Casemiro and Hojlund scoring before the United midfielder scored a stunner from distance. Advertisement
