There is nothing Ruud van Nistelrooy can do to stop Leicester City from relegating back to the Championship.
With Leicester two points above the relegation zone, Van Nistelrooy took over as manager in November, succeeding Steve Cooper.
Van Nistelrooy’s appointment pleased Leicester supporters since the Dutchman was anticipated to bring a different style of football to the King Power Stadium from Cooper’s defensive approach.
Instead, City has only scored nine goals in 11 games under the former Manchester United striker, demonstrating the 48-year-old’s inability to establish a winning philosophy.
Only four goals have been scored in the nine games since, which is concerning because five of those goals occurred in his first two games as manager.
But even though they lack offensive vigor, Van Nistelrooy has revealed a much more serious issue—one that Jonny Evans didn’t foresee.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is “obsessed with defensive structure,” according to Jonny Evans.
Former defender Evans commended Van Nistelrooy for his defensive organization when the current Leicester manager was Erik ten Hag’s understudy at Manchester United.
“He was a deadly striker and for him to pass on his knowledge straight away meant he had everyone’s respect immediately,” the 37-year-old stated in a September interview.He and the team both benefit greatly from his decision to join United. He appears to be quite honest and eager to help others. It’s clear that he is eager to succeed and share his wealth of knowledge at this early stage of his profession. He has a serious obsession with defensive architecture.
With Van Nistelrooy’s team giving up goals for fun, the final statement, “obsessed with defensive structure,” couldn’t be further from the reality at Leicester.
The awful defensive record of Leicester City under Van Nistelrooy
The visitors were in complete defensive chaos as their back line was sliced open like a pumpkin during Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Everton.
Despite receiving criticism for their appalling performances, center-backs Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes are not the only reason the Foxes have had defensive difficulties.
The entire squad is so simple to play through; Van Nistelrooy’s insistence on playing a high line is costing them dearly, the midfield structure is nonexistent, and the forwards don’t push hard enough.
Sadly, this goal-scoring pace is unsustainable in the fight against relegation, and if it continues, there is no chance of survival.
For more:https://sportchannel.co.uk/2025/02/06/given-leicester-…seems-ridiculous/
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