Ruud van Nistelrooy Sacked by Leicester Days Before Pre-Season Begins

Leicester City have officially parted ways with manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, just nine weeks after suffering relegation from the Premier League. The former Manchester United striker's tenure, which began with optimism, ended with Leicester sitting in the Championship and a squad in need of urgent rebuilding.

 
A Short-Lived Appointment with Big Expectations

Van Nistelrooy was appointed in November 2024, replacing Steve Cooper with the aim of lifting Leicester from the relegation zone. His contract was set to run until June 2027, and early signs were promising with a 3–1 victory over West Ham and a respectable 2–2 draw with Brighton. However, that momentum quickly faded.

 
Record-Breaking Collapse

What followed was a collapse of historic proportions. Leicester lost 16 of their next 18 league games, including an unprecedented nine consecutive home matches without scoring a record for any team across England’s top four divisions. The Foxes officially confirmed relegation on April 20, finishing 19th and a staggering 13 points from safety.

 
Departure Confirmed Before Pre-Season

On June 27, 2025, just days before the start of pre-season training, Leicester announced Van Nistelrooy’s departure by mutual consent. The club thanked him for his professionalism and efforts, but it was clear a fresh direction was needed. Van Nistelrooy also issued a statement, expressing gratitude to the club, players, and fans despite the disappointment.

 
Interim Setup and Future Planning

Ben Dawson, part of the existing coaching staff, will oversee pre-season while the club searches for a permanent replacement. Early frontrunners include Sean Dyche, Russell Martin, and Danny Röhl, with club executives prioritizing a candidate capable of securing immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

 
A Painful Chapter for Leicester

Van Nistelrooy departs after just 27 games in charge, marking one of the shortest and most turbulent managerial spells in Leicester City’s recent history. Despite his pedigree as a player, his time at the King Power Stadium will be remembered for tactical inconsistency, a fractured dressing room, and ultimately, failure to meet survival expectations.

The challenge ahead for Leicester is immense but with the right leadership, the Foxes hope to rise again.

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