Ruud van Nistelrooy’s time as Leicester City manager may not have delivered as many victories as hoped, but his influence on the squad has been recognized by his players.
The Foxes secured their second win under Van Nistelrooy’s leadership on Saturday, with an emphatic 6-2 victory over QPR in the FA Cup, earning a spot in the Fourth Round.
This much-needed win ended a difficult period for Leicester, which included five consecutive losses, and brought a renewed sense of optimism to the East Midlands.
Despite the challenges, it’s evident that Van Nistelrooy has the backing of his squad, with one of his key players, Stephy Mavididi, offering glowing praise for the Dutchman’s impact.
Stephy Mavididi Hails Mentality Shift Under Van Nistelrooy
Mavididi, a regular in Van Nistelrooy’s starting lineup, has seen a resurgence in form under the new manager.
After a 14-game goal drought, the winger has scored in back-to-back matches, showing signs of rediscovering his sharpness.
Speaking after the QPR win, the 26-year-old shared how Van Nistelrooy has transformed the mood at the club and reignited belief among the players:
“In his first meeting, it was kind of like a wake-up call to the lads – and myself included – and is pushing all of us to reach our maximum potential.
He’s come in and gave an opinion on us. Someone from the outside looking in has a different opinion and put certain things in place. It’s paying off in performances, it’s just the results that we need to pick up.
“It (the win) was massive. We said in the changing room we have an important week coming up, hopefully we can kick on.
“The mentality has changed and he’s giving us confidence and reminding us of our potential and reminding us we have a good team and good players so that’s the main thing, the mentality.”
Mavididi’s 24/25 Season So Far
Although Mavididi hasn’t matched his prolific form from last season, he remains one of Leicester’s most effective players this campaign.
His goal against QPR brought his tally to five for the season, making him joint-second in the club’s scoring charts alongside Jordan Ayew, with only Jamie Vardy’s seven goals surpassing him.
While his numbers need improvement, his recent performances indicate a positive trend. With renewed confidence and Van Nistelrooy’s guidance, Mavididi and Leicester’s attackers have a strong platform to build on as they aim for Premier League survival.
