Leicester confirm Van Nistelrooy exit

Leicester City have confirmed they have parted company with manager Ruud van Nistelrooy ahead of their return to the Championship.

Van Nistelrooy had long been expected to depart the King Power Stadium, having failed to keep Leicester in the Premier League after replacing Steve Cooper midway through 2024-25.

Leicester’s relegation was confirmed with five matches of the season remaining. Only five teams have ever been relegated at an earlier point of a campaign – Southampton in 2024-25 (seven games remaining), Ipswich Town in 1994-95, Derby County in 2007-08, Huddersfield Town in 2018-19 and Sheffield United in 2020-21 (all six).

Van Nistelrooy only managed four victories in 25 Premier League matches in charge of Leicester for a win rate of 16%, drawing three and losing 18.

Leicester only scored 17 goals in those matches, two fewer than van Nistelrooy scored as a player in his first 25 appearances in the competition for Manchester United (19 in 2001-02).

17 – Leicester City only scored 17 Premier League goals in their 25 matches under Ruud van Nistelrooy – two fewer than van Nistelrooy scored as a player in his first 25 appearances in the competition (19 in 2001-02). Contrasts. pic.twitter.com/CF3FkKIcA2

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 27, 2025

Van Nistelrooy also became the first manager since Portsmouth’s Freddie Cox in 1958-59 to lead a team through two separate seven-game losing streaks in a single top-flight season.

The second of those runs, which extended to eight games, also saw Leicester fail to score a single goal.

Between December and April, they also became the first team in the history of English football’s top four tiers to lose nine consecutive home matches without scoring.

Van Nistelrooy told the club’s website: “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.”

Leicester confirmed the club’s existing first-team staff will take pre-season training when the players return on June 30, as they work on sourcing a replacement.

The Foxes will begin their 2025-26 Championship campaign at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, August 10.

Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is among the reported candidates to replace Van Nistelrooy, with former Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche having also been linked with the job.