Opinion: Leicester City must sack Ruud van Nistelrooy after his puzzling decision against West Ham.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's tenure at Leicester City has been a complete failure, with no signs of improvement under his leadership.
When Leicester City dismissed Steve Cooper in November and appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy as his replacement, many fans supported the decision.
Cooper had been heavily criticized for his overly cautious and defensive approach, whereas Van Nistelrooy had gained praise at PSV Eindhoven for his attacking, free-flowing style of play.
However, after three months in charge, it has become evident that the Dutchman is struggling tactically in the Premier League.
Leicester’s latest defeat—a 2-0 loss to West Ham on Thursday—marked their 11th defeat in their last 12 league games, effectively sealing their relegation fate.
Frustrated supporters once again called for Van Nistelrooy’s dismissal, and one decision during the match highlighted why his tenure has been such a disaster.
Van Nistelrooy’s Lack of In-Game Adjustments
Just a week ago, Leicester suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Brentford, as their defense was torn apart by Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
In response, Van Nistelrooy adopted a more conservative approach against West Ham, prioritizing defensive solidity over pressing high up the pitch.
This change in strategy resulted in Leicester being pinned back in their own half for much of the first 45 minutes, allowing West Ham to dictate play.
The Hammers capitalized, with Tomas Soucek breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute before Jarrod Bowen’s deflected strike doubled their advantage just before halftime.
Both goals could have been avoided with better defensive organization, but Leicester’s players were lackluster throughout the opening period.
They managed just one entry into the final third in the first half, yet Van Nistelrooy refused to make any substitutions or tactical changes at halftime.
While some may interpret his decision as a sign of faith in his players, it was a major misstep.
His reluctance to adapt in real time further exposed his tactical shortcomings and reinforced the growing belief that he is not up to the standard required for Premier League management.
Leicester Unlikely to Sack Van Nistelrooy
Despite their miserable run of form under Van Nistelrooy—just two wins in 13 league games—Leicester’s hierarchy appears unwilling to make another managerial change.
Financial constraints, particularly concerns over Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), mean that sacking him would be too costly for the club.
With only 11 matches remaining, Leicester sit on just 17 points, five adrift of safety. Historically, no team has survived relegation from the Premier League with such a low points total after 27 matches.
Tough Fixtures Make Survival Unlikely
Leicester’s upcoming fixtures make their survival hopes even bleaker. In the next month, they face Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, 17th-placed Wolves have a chance to pull further ahead, potentially leaving Leicester stranded in the relegation zone.
Based on their recent performances, it is hard to see Leicester picking up any points from those matches.
Even the most optimistic supporters would struggle to find a path to safety, making Van Nistelrooy’s appointment look increasingly like a costly gamble that has backfired.
