Leicester City Confirms Departure Of Manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy Following Relegation

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Leicester City have announced the departure of manager Ruud van Nistelrooy as they prepare for their return to the Championship. Van Nistelrooy's exit was anticipated after he failed to prevent Leicester's relegation from the Premier League, having taken over from Steve Cooper midway through the 2024-25 season. The team's relegation was confirmed with five games left in the season.

During his tenure, Van Nistelrooy managed only four wins in 25 Premier League matches, resulting in a win rate of 16%. The team drew three matches and lost 18. Leicester scored just 17 goals under his management, which is two fewer than Van Nistelrooy himself scored in his first 25 appearances for Manchester United in the 2001-02 season.

Van Nistelrooy also became the first manager since Freddie Cox of Portsmouth in the 1958-59 season to lead a team through two separate seven-game losing streaks in one top-flight campaign. The second streak extended to eight games, during which Leicester failed to score any goals. Between December and April, they set an unwanted record by losing nine consecutive home matches without scoring, a first in English football's top four tiers.

Leicester's existing first-team staff will oversee pre-season training when players return on June 30. The club is actively seeking a new manager before starting their Championship campaign against Sheffield Wednesday on August 10. Danny Rohl, Sheffield Wednesday's boss, is among those considered for the role. Former Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche has also been linked with the position.

Van Nistelrooy expressed gratitude towards Leicester City players, coaches, academy staff, and fans for their support during his time at the club. "I would like to personally thank the Leicester City players, coaches, academy and all the staff I have worked with for their professionalism and dedication during my time at the club and to thank the fans for their support," he said on the club’s website.

Only five teams have faced relegation earlier than Leicester this season: Southampton (2024-25), Ipswich Town (1994-95), Derby County (2007-08), Huddersfield Town (2018-19), and Sheffield United (2020-21). These teams were relegated with more games remaining than Leicester's five.