Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly poised to step into a full-time head coaching role, with the former Manchester United striker emerging as a strong contender for the vacancy at Leicester City.
After returning to Old Trafford as assistant manager during the summer, Van Nistelrooy departed following the appointment of Ruben Amorim as United’s new head coach.
His brief spell as interim manager after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October saw him oversee four matches, securing three wins and a draw.
Notably, two of those victories came against Leicester City: a 5-2 triumph in the Carabao Cup and a convincing 3-0 win in the Premier League.
Leicester City are now reportedly eyeing Van Nistelrooy following their decision to sack Steve Cooper on Sunday.
The Dutchman has quickly emerged as a leading candidate for the role, alongside names such as Graham Potter and David Moyes. However, potential moves for Potter and Moyes now appear increasingly unlikely.
Van Nistelrooy is also linked with Bundesliga 2 side Hamburg, where he is said to be a “preferred solution for some bosses,” according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
Despite this interest, Plettenberg notes that securing his services for Hamburg could prove challenging, with English clubs making “far more concrete inquiries.”
Leicester City is specifically mentioned, and it is reported that Van Nistelrooy is “eager” to take on a head coach position immediately, with options seemingly abundant.
In addition to the Leicester and Hamburg links, Van Nistelrooy’s name has been associated with the managerial vacancy at Coventry City. However, Frank Lampard appears to be edging closer to taking over the Championship side.
The Dutchman’s coaching pedigree includes a successful stint with PSV Eindhoven, where he guided the team to a second-place Eredivisie finish and a League Cup victory during the 2022/23 season.
A potential move to Leicester could also reunite him with Jamie Vardy, the forward who famously broke Van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in consecutive Premier League games back in 2015. At the time, Van Nistelrooy graciously congratulated Vardy on his remarkable achievement.
