Leicester City have confirmed the departure of manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, nearly 10 weeks after the club suffered relegation from the Premier League. The Dutchman’s exit, announced on Friday, comes as part of a mutual agreement between the coach and the club’s leadership, with immediate effect.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, stepped into the role in late November 2024, following a short stint as interim manager at Manchester United. He took charge during a turbulent spell for Leicester but ultimately failed to reverse their slide, with the team finishing the season back in the Championship after only one year in the top flight.
Club Praises Professionalism During Difficult Period
In a statement, Leicester acknowledged the challenges faced under Van Nistelrooy’s leadership and expressed gratitude for his professionalism and efforts. “Ruud has led the team through a testing chapter,” the club stated. “Since his arrival in November, he demonstrated commitment, integrity, and a strong focus on the club’s goals, notably by promoting several talented academy players into the senior squad.”
The statement concluded with an appreciation of his contribution, adding that Van Nistelrooy departs with the “respect and best wishes” of everyone connected with the club.
Calls for Talks After Relegation Delay Decision
Following Leicester’s confirmed drop from the Premier League, Van Nistelrooy reportedly requested discussions with the club’s board regarding his future. However, those talks were delayed for several weeks before culminating in Friday’s announcement of his exit.
In his farewell message, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker expressed thanks to everyone he worked with at the club. “I’m grateful to the players, coaches, academy team, and all the staff at Leicester City for their dedication and professionalism throughout my time here,” he said.
Record-Breaking Losing Streak Seals Leicester’s Fate
Van Nistelrooy’s start at Leicester showed early promise as he collected four points from his first two matches after taking over from Steve Cooper. But that brief momentum quickly faded. The Foxes endured a nightmarish run of 15 defeats in their next 16 fixtures, effectively dooming their survival hopes.
Among those losses, Leicester set an unwanted Premier League record by losing nine consecutive home matches without scoring a single goal.
Club’s Fall from Glory Continues
The club’s relegation, confirmed in the final stretch of the 2024/25 season, saw them join Ipswich Town and Southampton in dropping to the Championship. Ironically, all three sides had secured promotion together just one season prior in the 2023/24 campaign.
Leicester’s journey has been a dramatic one in recent years. In 2016, they captured global attention by winning the Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri—an achievement considered one of the greatest sporting upsets in history. However, after maintaining their top-flight status for nine seasons, they were relegated in 2023, and their short-lived return in 2024 ended in yet another drop.
A New Chapter Begins August 10
The Foxes are set to begin their 2025/26 Championship campaign on August 10 with a home fixture against Sheffield Wednesday. However, the club’s preparations face further uncertainty, as Leicester could face a points deduction after being charged with alleged breaches of financial regulations.
The off-field issues compound an already difficult rebuilding process, with the search now underway for a new manager to lead the team forward.
