 |
Leicester City just fired Van Nistelrooy on the afternoon of June 27. |
After less than 7 months in the hot seat, the Premier League legend left King Power in silence - no thanks, no farewell, just a dry announcement at a time when the team was preparing to enter an unstable pre-season.
Van Nistelrooy failed to save Leicester from relegation from the Premier League in 2024/25. But looking at the big picture, it is difficult to place all the blame on a manager who was handed a ship that was already half-sinking.
Risky appointment, heartless dismissal
Leicester’s appointment of Van Nistelrooy in November 2024 was controversial. He had an impressive record at PSV Eindhoven, but had never managed a Premier League team, and had no experience of “fighting fires” in a crisis. Many felt Leicester’s decision was based on emotion – a few games in charge at Manchester United – rather than a long-term strategy.
And when things went wrong, instead of explaining or defending their choices, Leicester’s board of directors… disappeared. For weeks, Van Nistelrooy received no signal about the future, despite repeatedly asking for clarification. That silence was not only disrespectful, but also showed a leadership system lacking transparency, courage and accountability.
There is no denying that Leicester have suffered a serious decline in form under Van Nistelrooy - with 19 defeats in 27 games and a Premier League record nine-game goalless streak. But those numbers do not reflect the circumstances he has faced.
 |
Van Nistelrooy failed to help Leicester City stay in the 2024/25 season. |
The club promised three new signings in the winter transfer window, only bringing in one – defender Woyo Coulibaly from Parma. Financial constraints meant he had no budget to patch up the squad. In fact, a previous loan signing, Odsonne Édouard, did not have a recall clause, leaving Van Nistelrooy unable to find a replacement.
He also had to deal with a squad that was frazzled, unbalanced and lacking in even the most basic professionalism. Some players resisted simple demands like spending an extra night at the training camp each week or sticking to a fitness regime. When Van Nistelrooy tried to impose higher standards, he was met with resistance.
Silent Heritage
Despite the disappointing results on the pitch, Van Nistelrooy has left a few rare bright spots. He has boldly given opportunities to young players - including 15-year-old talent Jeremy Monga - who has just signed a new contract thanks to Van Nistelrooy's faith in the academy generation. Those seeds, if nurtured properly, could become valuable assets for Leicester in the future.
The problem is that Leicester now seem unconcerned about the long-term future. The club is in financial trouble in Thailand, facing a points deduction in the Championship for breaching financial regulations. They need a complete overhaul – from the way they recruit managers to the way they treat people.
 |
Many fans feel sorry for Van Nistelrooy. |
Van Nistelrooy was not without fault. But he worked professionally, without complaining, without blaming. Van Nistelrooy did not come with the arrogance of a legend, but with a real desire to contribute. In return, he received only indecision, isolation and finally... silence.
The question is: Who really failed here? Van Nistelrooy - who could not save the team in a very constrained context? Or Leicester - a team that lost direction, did not dare to face mistakes and continued to spiral downward?
The answer may become clearer next season. But one thing is certain: if Leicester do not dare to look at themselves, no manager - no matter how talented - will be able to turn this ship back on track.
Source: https://znews.vn/van-nistelrooy-la-nan-nhan-cua-su-hon-loan-o-leicester-post1564258.html
Comment (0)