Former Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as head coach of Premier League strugglers Leicester City, the club confirmed on Friday.
The 48-year-old succeeds former Steve Cooper as Leicester boss after the English coach was sacked on Sunday, a day after their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester confirmed that Van Nistelrooy will attend the team’s match against Brentford on Saturday and officially start in his new role the following day. First team coach Ben Dawson will take charge of the side at the weekend.
“I’m proud, I’m excited,” Van Nistelrooy said in a statement. “Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic. They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the Club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the Club is impressive. I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the Football Club.”
Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge will be against West Ham on Tuesday.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Ruud to Leicester City,” chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said. “He joins a Club with a rich history, passionate supporters, and a talented squad, and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together.
“Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us, and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our Club.”
The former Netherlands forward enjoyed a short spell as United’s interim head coach between the dismissal of Erik ten Hag and arrival of Ruben Amorim.
Coincidentally, the final game of that caretaker stint came against Leicester as United ran out 3-0 winners at Old Trafford.
Leicester are 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
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