Ruud van Nistelrooy went from a super substitute role at Manchester United to the main responsibility for Leicester in free fall in the Premier League table. It started with a win against West Ham with the United legend at the helm, then Van Nistelrooy was also caught by gravity on the table. Twelve games after his debut, the club has collected just four points. This week saw changes in the coaching staff, but Van Nistelrooy is still safe. Now the Dutchman says he has a long-term plan.
Although Leicester supporters have thrown themselves over the keyboard every week and criticized Van Nistelrooy and told the Dutchman to “get away”, the former United manager does not lose his focus, faith or loyalty to the club.
“We have a mountain to climb. But life is about climbing mountains, and mountains are there to be climbed. It’s a challenge I’m happy to take on,” van Nistelrooy said in his press conference before Thursday’s Premier League match.
Then came the question all the journalists wanted to ask: Will you go down to the Championship if there is relegation?
“I knew what I was getting into when I signed the contract. It was not just for the season, but two more seasons. I feel connected to the future of the club,” says the Dutchman.
The Leicester players have not lost faith in van Nistelrooy, even though many supporters have made the coach a scapegoat. When the United legend emphatically shows he stands with the players through thick and thin, then it is a close-knit group that in the last 12 games can take five points at Wolverhampton and switch places to above the relegation zone.
First up is the game against West Ham
We’re rooting for Ruud!
