Report: Ruud van Nistelrooy’s halftime adjustment key to Leicester’s victory over West Ham
Ruud van Nistelrooy begins Leicester City tenure with a crucial victory over West Ham United.
Leicester City moved four points clear of the relegation zone with a vital 3-1 win over West Ham, courtesy of a Jamie Vardy opener, Bilal El Khannouss’ first Premier League goal, and Patson Daka’s strike—his first since returning from injury.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, warmly welcomed by Leicester fans at the King Power Stadium, marked his managerial debut with a crucial victory.
The 48-year-old left with a smile, but the match wasn’t as straightforward as the scoreline suggests.
West Ham registered 31 shots on goal, and if not for the brilliance of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who dazzled with a stunning first-half display, the outcome could have been very different.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Tactical Adjustments Key to Victory
Van Nistelrooy revealed that he sought advice from Enzo Maresca before taking the Leicester job, and the influence was evident in the team’s setup.
Out of possession, Leicester shifted into a 4-4-2 structure to solidify their defensive shape—a tactic Van Nistelrooy emphasized as central to the team’s identity moving forward.
Kasey McAteer, a surprising inclusion in the starting XI, struggled in the first half against Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
While the Leicester academy graduate made some promising runs, he was often neutralized by the full-back.
However, Van Nistelrooy’s halftime adjustment saw McAteer switched to the left flank to face Vladimir Coufal instead.
This change paid off, as McAteer found much more success and assisted El Khannouss for Leicester’s second goal.
Van Nistelrooy highlighted El Khannouss’ performance post-match, praising the young player’s impact.
The tactical tweaks were a refreshing sight for Leicester fans, especially after the previous regime under Steve Cooper, where a lack of adaptability often proved costly.
A Promising Start Under Van Nistelrooy
Despite limited time with the squad—less than 48 hours—Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester already appears reinvigorated.
While West Ham’s relentless attack tested them, Leicester remained resilient defensively and effective on the counter.
The players looked confident, organized, and ready to embrace a system reminiscent of the one that brought success in the Championship.
Under Cooper, the team often seemed defeated before kickoff, but that mindset was nowhere to be seen in this performance.
There is still room for improvement, and with more time on the training ground, Leicester can climb to even greater heights.
Van Nistelrooy celebrated the win with a well-earned beer, and based on this performance, it’shard to fault him.
