Ruud van Nistelrooy has spoken out following the loud boos that echoed through the King Power Stadium during Leicester City’s crushing defeat to Wolves.
The 3-0 loss on Sunday was a sobering pre-Christmas blow for the Foxes, leaving them precariously close to the relegation zone with only a two-point cushion above the bottom three.
Yet, it wasn’t just the defeat itself that raised alarm; it was the nature of the performance that had fans and pundits alike questioning the state of the team.
One decision that puzzled fans was Van Nistelrooy’s choice to start Facundo Buonanotte on the bench. However, the most intense scrutiny was directed toward goalkeeper Danny Ward, whose performance drew the loudest criticisms.
Ruud van Nistelrooy responds to Danny Ward boos
For Ward, it was an afternoon to forget. The goalkeeper, tasked with stepping in for Mads Hermansen, endured a torrid time, contributing to all three of Wolves’ first-half goals.
His struggles meant he had conceded six goals across Leicester’s last two matches, averaging one every 15 minutes.
Unsurprisingly, the crowd’s frustration boiled over, with Ward subjected to jeers that were more pronounced than those aimed at any other player.
Asked about the reaction from the stands, Van Nistelrooy acknowledged the difficulty of the situation:
“It doesn’t make it easier for him and for the team. We all understand disappointment from the crowd but it shouldn’t go to one player.
“Booing and being disappointed with a result I think it’s a right of a supporter, to show your emotions. We all do that. But when it goes to one person, that is hard to see for me personally.
“It’s not easy when something happens like that, when you catch a ball and people start cheering, and boo you, when it gets personal like that. I think he handled it very well. He’s the first one to look in the mirror. They all want to do well and perform and do their best for the club. When it doesn’t work out, it’s good to stick together as a squad and as a club.”
Despite the heated atmosphere, the manager confirmed he had no intention of substituting Ward during the match, emphasizing the need to support the players on the pitch.
Ruud van Nistelrooy provides Mads Hermansen fitness update
With three challenging fixtures on the horizon, speculation has grown about whether Hermansen might return to the starting lineup. His absence has been deeply felt, given his standout performances as one of the league’s top goalkeepers this season.
Van Nistelrooy revealed that the Wolves match came too soon for Hermansen’s recovery but expressed optimism about his availability for the Boxing Day clash with Liverpool.
“Mads is still injured. This game came too early for him. We’re working hard to get him back as soon as possible,” he explained.
The manager also noted that Jakub Stolarczyk, who appeared for the Under-21s earlier in the week, was nearing a return but wasn’t yet ready for first-team action.
As Leicester face a critical period in their season, the question of who starts between the posts remains pivotal. Van Nistelrooy’s focus will be on steadying the ship and reigniting confidence both on and off the pitch.
