Leicester City are reportedly considering Hull City’s former manager Liam Rosenior as a potential successor to under-fire boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, according to emerging reports.
The Dutch manager finds himself on increasingly thin ice after a disastrous Premier League run that has left the Foxes nine points adrift of safety with just nine matches remaining.
Van Nistelrooy’s tenure, which began promisingly with a December victory over West Ham, has rapidly unraveled – his squad managing a paltry four points from their last fifteen outings.
This dismal form has prompted Leicester’s hierarchy to explore alternatives, with Rosenior emerging as a leading candidate.
The 40-year-old English manager has been turning heads in France with Strasbourg, guiding them to the brink of European qualification in Ligue 1 while already surpassing last season’s points total.
His impressive work hasn’t gone unnoticed, with L’Equipe (via the Derby Telegraph) revealing both Leicester and Southampton have been monitoring his progress, though any potential move would likely depend on the clubs’ Premier League status.
Speaking to AFP (via GFFN) about Strasbourg’s European ambitions, Rosenior displayed characteristic optimism: “Why not? We are in the world of football to dream. I will never prevent my players from dreaming. It’s not arrogance, but we are four points away from third with eight games to play. Of course, it’s possible!”
While Leicester’s board appear reluctant to make a mid-season change while mathematical survival remains possible, Van Nistelrooy’s long-term prospects look increasingly bleak.
The former Manchester United striker remained defiant after their latest setback, a 3-0 defeat to his old club:
“If you look at all the data and numbers of the game it was very even. Putting the ball in the back of the net will get you points. We can’t and we won’t give up – we will fight till the end. As I said mathematically until it’s impossible, we keep going.”
With a daunting trip to Manchester City looming after their FA Cup break, Leicester’s survival hopes appear slim.
Should relegation be confirmed, Rosenior’s progressive approach and Championship experience – evidenced by Hull’s seventh-place finish last term – could make him an attractive option as the Foxes look to rebuild.