Ruud van Nistelrooy (foto: Getty Images)
Ruud van Nistelrooy will likely leave Leicester after their final match of the Premier League season, following the club’s relegation.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to leave Leicester City following the club’s final Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday, according to reports from Sky Sports. The Dutchman’s short tenure at the King Power Stadium is drawing to a close after he failed to keep the club in the top flight.
While no official decision has been announced, talks over a mutual termination of his contract are set to begin early next week. Leicester’s board is reportedly considering Russell Martin, currently at Southampton, and Danny Röhl of Sheffield Wednesday as leading candidates to replace Van Nistelrooy.
Club officials are taking a respectful approach, choosing not to rush the search for a new manager until Van Nistelrooy’s exit is formalised. For now, he remains in charge of the team ahead of their final game of the season.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and PSV Eindhoven striker began his coaching career with youth teams and the Dutch national side, before stepping into senior management with PSV in 2022. In his debut season, he won the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield, finishing as Eredivisie runners-up, but left the club citing a lack of internal support.
He returned to coaching with Leicester in early 2024, but was unable to reverse the club’s slide and secure survival in the Premier League.
Van Nistelrooy’s departure will leave Leicester searching for their third permanent manager in two years, as they prepare for another rebuild—this time in the Championship.