Ruud van Nistelrooy Khun Top Leicester
(Credit: Imago)

Leicester fans instantly react as Van Nistelrooy sacked over a month after decision was made

Jonathan Burnett
Jonathan Burnett

Leicester City’s summer of struggle is only just beginning after they finally sacked Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Van Nistelrooy has been in limbo at the King Power Stadium for several months and Leicester were tipped to sack him as far back as February, well before their relegation to the Championship was sealed.

Indeed, it is believed that the final decision to sack the former Man United striker was made over a month ago, shortly before the Premier League season ended.

The Dutchman was brought in to replace Steve Cooper in December with 25 matches left to play, but was only able to steer the Foxes to four wins and two of these came with relegation already confirmed.

Leicester’s immediate return to the second-tier came with five matches remaining after a run of 15 defeats from 17 which included just one victory, and that left the writing on the wall for Van Nistelrooy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Leicester finally confirm Van Nistelrooy sack

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in April that Van Nistelrooy’s sacking at Leicester was “imminent”, but the Foxes have held off on their official decision until long after relegation.

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Leicester were relegated by a loss to Liverpool 68 days ago, and with 44 days until their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday on 10 August, Van Nistelrooy’s sacking has now been confirmed.

The Foxes released a statement on X (27 June) to state they had “mutually agreed” to terminate the 48-year-old’s contract, but Football Insider revealed on 9 June that Leicester’s decision is more akin to a conventional sacking than a mutual agreement.

Van Nistelrooy saga enrages Leicester fans – ‘League One bound’

Dan Plumley told Football Insider hours before Van Nistelrooy’s exit that Leicester were forced to wait until the end of June before making their decision public, as they bid to avoid yet another PSR breach.

Sean Dyche is expected to succeed Van Nistelrooy in the dugout next season as Leicester return to the second-tier, but Foxes fans are less than pleased at the way their managerial saga has been handled.

Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha was criticised for the “embarrassing” timing of Van Nistelrooy’s sacking, and Leicester’s downward spiral resembles nothing more than a “shambles” for fans who are desperate for an end to “amateur hour” at the King Power Stadium.

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