Ruud van Nistelrooy said he was “astonished” at the amount of interest in him which came after his spell as Manchester United interim, which he feels landed him the Leicester job.
The Dutchman was appointed as Steve Coopers’ successor at the Foxes on Saturday, only 20 days after he left United following Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
Van Nistelrooy, who previously spent a year in charge of PSV Eindhoven, took charge of just four games following Erik ten Hag’s sacking, winning three and drawing one but was left shocked at how many opportunities it presented him.
In his first press conference as Leicester boss ahead of Tuesday night’s game against West Ham, the former Red Devils striker said: “I thought, ‘it was four games, and I’ve managed a full season at PSV’. We won the Dutch Cup and the Charity Shield and the championship with Jong PSV as well.
“It never got this reaction from the football world. Apparently it provoked this reaction and I was only happy with that.
“To get into conversations with different parties, and to get into a position which felt really good for me. Now I’m here.”
Welcome, Ruud van Nistelrooy 🦊 💙 pic.twitter.com/wHcwZc85eY
— Leicester City (@LCFC) November 29, 2024
Van Nistelrooy: Results over style
Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Brentford leaves Leicester just a point above the relagation zone and Van Nistelrooy insists finding the results which guide them to safety will be more important than implementing an attractive style of play.
The 48-year-old said: “I’m thinking of one thing before any game I prepare, and that’s winning. When you play top teams in the Premier League, mid-table teams or lower-ranked teams, it sometimes requires a different approach.
The style of play is adjusted on: ‘How can we win here?’ I’m not the romantic type of manager who puts style in front of results.
“I love style, I love having the ball, I love creating lots of opportunities, pressing a team high, because you have more of the ball, but we are facing opponents here and we’re not the dominant side in this league. We approach every game in this league to win.”
Enzo Maresca conversation
Van Nistelrooy said he spoke to Chelsea manager and former team-mate Enzo Maresca about taking the Foxes job after the Italian led the East Midlands side to the Championship title last season.
He said: “When the first approach came, I thought about the club, players, training ground and set-up. I was curious about people who worked there.
“Enzo is a great friend and team-mate was one of the first to call. What better information could I get?
“When we played against each other when I was the interim manager [at Man Utd] against Chelsea, we spoke for half an hour even though I didn’t know about Leicester at the time.
“He was very positive back then, and it only got better when I spoke to him again. He was absolutely right from the first impressions I have got.”
Leicester transfer window plans
Van Nistelrooy said he was “open-minded” over how Leicester approach the January transfer market with just six games until the window opens.
“That was a topic of discussion,” he said. “The two conversations I had were very open and clear. For me, it was important to know how things are in the near future but also in the longer future.
“January was discussed, but what was also discussed was the current squad. It’s most important for me to get an assessment of the players over the coming weeks leading into January and give every player the chance.
“Also the staff members that are staying, I’m working together with the people who are still at the club. I’m looking to bring in more people, but am keen on working with them as well. Then we can decide from there.”