Ruud van Nistelrooy faces an uncertain future as Leicester City manager following their relegation from the Premier League.
Leicester City were relegated after a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, with the Foxes losing the majority of their matches since Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed manager in November 2024.
The former Manchester United striker returned to Old Trafford at the beginning of the season to join Erik ten Hag’s backroom team. However, he was made interim manager for four managers following Ten Hag’s dismissal.
Still considered a legend at United, Van Nistelrooy has been unable to turn things around at the King Power Stadium, and reports suggest Leicester City chiefs have already drawn up a shortlist of candidates to replace the Dutch coach.
The 48-year-old could remain in charge until the end of the season, with his contract running until 2027.
Ben Foster advises Ruud van Nistelrooy on next career move
Most United fans will hate to see Van Nistelrooy struggle in any job, but he walked into difficult circumstances at Leicester City after they sacked Steve Cooper.
Van Nistelrooy will likely look to learn from the mistakes he made at Leicester City because it is still early days in his coaching career.
Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster suggests that a return to the Netherlands might be beneficial for Van Nistelrooy.
Speaking on his Fozcast podcast, Foster said: “I’m pretty sure that when they get relegated, they can sack him for free, basically, and that’s probably what will happen.
“I think Ruud probably needs to get back to Holland, get his name and his stock a bit higher and get a bit of success.”
Van Nistelrooy spent one season as PSV Eindhoven manager, winning the Dutch Cup, before walking away following a dispute with the club. There will be plenty of clubs in his homeland and beyond looking for the former striker’s services if Leicester City sack him.
It remains to be see if Van Nistelrooy wants to return to the Netherlands or if he’ll challenge himself in another like, such as La Liga or the Bundesliga, having spent time in both leagues as a player.
Foster makes bold Ruben Amorim claim
While talking about Van Nistelrooy on the podcast, Foster referred to his time as United’s interim manager.
Van Nistelrooy took over from Ten Hag and secured three wins and a draw.
The former United stopper expressed his opinion than Van Nistelrooy would have been a better choice in the short-term.
Foster added: “Would Ruud van Nistelrooy have done a better job than Ruben Amorim at Man United, if he’d have stayed on?
“I think it’s ‘probably’ because he had that respect, and I just don’t think that you could do much worse than Amorim has done.”
However, the problem with that view is that it’s sheer short-termism.
Ineos are planning for the long-term which can be seen with their recruitment drive since taking contract of football operations at Old Trafford.
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