RUUD VAN NISTELROOY made his debut as the new manager of Leicester City last night, stepping into the role following the departure of Steve Cooper.

In order to thrive at King Power Stadium, he must address the challenges he has inherited head-on, rather than sidestepping them, if he hopes to build his legacy.

7

Here are five critical challenges Van Nistelrooy must address to revitalize the Foxes and avoid a tough start in his first permanent managerial position in the Premier League.

ADDRESS A TOXIC DRESSING ROOM

A recent video from a Copenhagen nightclub has embarrassed the club, management, and fans alike.

This should serve as a point of shame for the players involved.

They might have thought it was amusing to express their affection for Enzo Maresca and to wish for his return.

If the intent was to take a jab at their former manager Steve Cooper, it definitely backfired.

They should recall that Maresca left them at the earliest opportunity, making their loyalty misguided.

Owner Top Srivaddhanaprabha gave them a necessary lecture in Tuesday’s intense talks about the club’s future following Cooper’s dismissal.

Van Nistelrooy comes with a history of taking a firm stance against nonsense, having managed discord among PSV players and staff after his inaugural season, which, despite its success, faced its own challenges.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

His illustrious playing background will earn him immediate respect, but that respect could quickly erode if the current squad grows resentful and starts yearning for Maresca’s return!

It’s crucial for Van Nistelrooy to foster a unified dressing room for Leicester to prosper.

7

7

Leicester players celebrate at a nightclub next to an ‘Enzo, I miss you’ sign, shortly after a defeat to Chelsea and the sacking of Cooper

FIX A STRUGGLING DEFENSE

Successful managers understand the importance of a robust defense.

As any builder would affirm, without solid foundations, a structure is likely to falter.

Leicester has been able to score in all but one of their Premier League games this season and has achieved as many goals as the resurgent Nottingham Forest.

However, they have only managed one clean sheet, with only Wolves and the bottom-placed Southampton conceding more than Leicester’s 23 goals.

Cooper acknowledged this issue, expressing a desire to secure a proficient goalkeeper in January.

He envied Nottingham Forest for signing skilled Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic over the summer.

While Caleb Okoli shows potential, he remains unrefined.

Jannick Vestergaard, with his Championship experience, has not been effective in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Conor Coady is better suited for a formation featuring three defenders.

Van Nistelrooy urgently needs to find a dependable partner for Belgian international Wout Faes.

7

IDENTIFY A LONG-TERM REPLACEMENT FOR JAMIE VARDY

Jamie Vardy remains Leicester’s leading striker, but at 37 years of age, that presents a quandary.

Although he is experiencing a revival, he cannot sustain this indefinitely and should ideally reduce his responsibilities to allow younger players to emerge.

Sadly for Leicester supporters, there is no clear successor ready to take over Vardy’s role.

Steve Cooper acquired Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Eduard, but neither appears to be a long-term solution.

The Foxes have registered the fewest shots on target in the Premier League and rank second to last in expected goals.

Injuries to key winger Abdul Fatawu, who is sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury, have severely impeded progress.

If Van Nistelrooy wants to succeed at Leicester, he must discover a younger version of himself!

But who better to identify that talent than RVN?

7

Van Nistelrooy’s Controversial Appointment

By Neil Custis, Football writer

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY’s appointment at Leicester is likely frustrating for managers in lower leagues.

For example, at the recent Northwest Football Awards, Stockport’s Dave Challinor was recognized as Manager of the Year, ahead of Pep Guardiola.

This might stem from a perception that he would actually attend the event, unlike Guardiola.

Nevertheless, achieving two promotions in 2½ years to elevate Stockport from the National League to League One, where they now reside in fourth, is impressive.

Sadly, his experiences managing Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde, and Hartlepool wouldn’t likely grab the attention of a Premier League club.

Van Nistelrooy had been considered for the Leicester position over the summer, before Steve Cooper was appointed.

After a brief interim managerial stint at Manchester United, he now finds himself at King Power as Cooper departs.

High-profile appointments naturally generate excitement among fans, and Van Nistelrooy certainly brings that dynamism.

However, his recruiting raises some concerns…

CONNECT WITH THE FANS

They might have become accustomed to their team’s past successes.

Many Leicester fans fondly recall when their club clinched the Premier League, reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and lifted the FA Cup!

However, those splendid moments filled with celebratory clappers and vibrant crowds have given way to frustration and complaints.

Foxes fans can be notoriously fickle; just ask past beloved figures like Claudio Ranieri, Brendan Rodgers, or Craig Shakespeare—not to mention Claude Puel or Steve Cooper!

Cooper never got a fair chance from Leicester supporters, who couldn’t overlook his history with Nottingham Forest.

Now, many fans view Van Nistelrooy with skepticism regarding his managerial abilities after just one full season at PSV.

The Dutchman may need to win back the affection of supporters who seem disconnected from many aspects of their club.

7

RECRUIT THE BEST SCOUT POSSIBLE

Steve Cooper faced obstacles in attracting potential signings for Leicester last summer due to fears of a possible 10-point deduction for Profit and Sustainability violations, which might have led them into a relegation battle.

Things are unlikely to change dramatically by January, especially as Leicester continues to navigate a tight financial landscape.

The budget at King Power is constrained, resulting in limited transfer resources for Van Nistelrooy.

He will need to be innovative in discovering valuable bargains, emphasizing the critical need for an outstanding talent scout.

There may be a temptation to revisit the Netherlands for familiar talent.

However, as Erik ten Hag discovered, the Eredivisie is no longer plentiful with hidden gems!

7