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RUUD VAN NISTELROOY made his debut as the new manager of Leicester City last night, taking the helm after Steve Cooper’s exit.
However, to establish himself at the King Power, he must confront the challenges he’s inherited rather than ignoring them if he aims to leave his mark.
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Here are the five crucial issues Van Nistelrooy must tackle to rejuvenate the Foxes and steer clear of a harsh awakening in his inaugural permanent Premier League role.
ADDRESS A TOXIC DRESSING ROOM
A recent nightclub video from Copenhagen has cast a shadow over the club, its management, and the supporters.
Most importantly, it has shamed the players involved.
They may have thought it clever to express their fondness for Enzo Maresca and their desire for his return.
If this display was a jab at former manager Steve Cooper, who was dismissed just hours later, it certainly missed the mark.
It’s worth noting that Maresca left them at the first opportunity, making their loyalty at best ill-placed.
Owner Top Srivaddhanaprabha gave them a deserved lecture during high-stakes discussions on Tuesday.
Van Nistelrooy is known for not tolerating nonsense, having had conflicts with PSV players and staff after a successful first season.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
His distinguished playing history will grant him immediate respect, but this could diminish quickly if the current squad rebels and starts yearning for Maresca again!
It’s essential for Van Nistelrooy to cultivate a cohesive dressing room for Leicester to prosper.
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Leicester stars celebrate in a nightclub next to an ‘Enzo, I miss you’ sign, just hours after a loss to Chelsea and the dismissal of Cooper
FIX A FALTERING DEFENSE
Successful managers prioritize defensive strength.
As any builder can affirm, a solid foundation is crucial to prevent collapse.
Leicester has scored in all but one of their Premier League matches this season, netting as many goals as the highly-rated Nottingham Forest.
However, they’ve managed just one clean sheet, and only Wolves and last-placed Southampton have conceded more than Leicester’s 23 goals.
Cooper acknowledged this problem and aimed to secure a competent goalkeeper in the January transfer window.
He envied Nottingham Forest’s strong summer acquisition of Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic.
Caleb Okoli shows potential but lacks polish.
Jannick Vestergaard, a seasoned Championship player, has not made an impact in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Conor Coady is more suited to a three-defender setup.
Van Nistelrooy must swiftly identify a reliable partner for Belgian international Wout Faes.
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IDENTIFY A LONG-TERM SUCCESSOR FOR JAMIE VARDY
Jamie Vardy remains Leicester’s leading striker, yet at the age of 37, this poses a challenge.
Although he’s experiencing a comeback, he cannot sustain this for much longer and should ideally have his workload reduced to allow younger players to step in.
Unfortunately for Leicester fans, there is currently no apparent successor ready to fill Vardy’s role.
Steve Cooper brought in Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Eduard, but neither appears to be a sustainable solution.
The Foxes have recorded the fewest shots on goal in the Premier League, and their expected goals tally is the second lowest.
Injuries to key winger Abdul Fatawu, who is out for the season with an ACL injury, have further hindered their prospects.
If Van Nistelrooy wishes to remain at Leicester, he must discover a younger talent reminiscent of himself!
But who better to scout that talent than RVN?
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Van Nistelrooy’s polarizing appointment
By Neil Custis, Football writer
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY taking charge of Leicester must be frustrating for managers in the lower leagues.
This week at the Northwest Football Awards, for example, Stockport’s Dave Challinor was named Manager of the Year ahead of Pep Guardiola.
This might be due to the assumption that he would actually attend the event, unlike Guardiola.
Regardless, achieving two promotions in 2½ years to elevate the club from the National League to League One, where they currently rank fourth, is an impressive feat.
Regrettably, his prior experiences managing at Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde, and Hartlepool would likely not catch the eye of a Premier League side.
Van Nistelrooy had been shortlisted during the summer, considered for the Leicester role before Steve Cooper was chosen.
After conducting four games as interim manager at Manchester United, he finds himself at the King Power, while Cooper’s tenure has ended.
High-profile figures create excitement among supporters, and Van Nistelrooy undoubtedly fits this description.
However, his hiring does raise some concerns…
ENGAGE WITH THE FANS
Perhaps they have become accustomed to previous successes.
Most Leicester fans are old enough to remember their team winning the Premier League, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, and lifting the FA Cup!
Yet those celebrated moments filled with cheers and vibrant atmospheres have been replaced by dissatisfaction and grumbling.
Foxes supporters can be rather fickle; just ask former adored figures like Claudio Ranieri, Brendan Rodgers, or Craig Shakespeare – not to mention Claude Puel or Steve Cooper!
Cooper never stood a fair chance with Leicester fans, who were unable to move beyond his history with Nottingham Forest.
Now, many supporters greet Van Nistelrooy with skepticism regarding his coaching capabilities following just one full season with PSV.
The Dutchman may need to win back the affection of fans who seem to have lost touch with many areas of their club.
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RECRUIT THE BEST SCOUT POSSIBLE
Steve Cooper struggled to sell Leicester to potential recruits last summer due to concerns that an impending 10-point deduction for Profit and Sustainability oversights would trigger a relegation fight.
Changes are unlikely to be significant by January, especially as Leicester continues to navigate financial difficulties.
Resources are tight at the King Power, resulting in limited transfer funds for Van Nistelrooy.
He will need to be inventive in securing value-for-money signings, underscoring the importance of having an exceptional talent scout.
There might be a lure to return to the Netherlands and tap into a familiar talent pool.
However, as Erik ten Hag discovered, the Eredivisie no longer brims with hidden treasures!
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