Leicester City Have Just 48 Hours to Prevent Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Exit – History Suggests He Could Walk

Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge as Leicester City manager in late November 2024, replacing Steve Cooper.

The Dutchman had previously enjoyed a short stint as interim manager of Manchester United, during which he secured victories over Leicester in both the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.

However, his tenure at the King Power Stadium has been far from smooth.

Since his arrival, Leicester have endured a difficult period, suffering seven consecutive league defeats.

Though a recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur lifted them out of the relegation zone, their battle for survival remains intense.

Given these struggles, many expected the club to have an active January transfer window.

Yet, so far, that has not materialized. With the window closing in just over 48 hours, concerns are mounting that Van Nistelrooy may not stick around much longer.

Ruud van Nistelrooy Frustrated by Leicester City’s Lack of Transfer Activity

A recent Daily Mail report detailed the signings Van Nistelrooy requested upon his arrival at Leicester, while also hinting at growing frustration behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, transfer expert Graeme Bailey, speaking with us recently, confirmed that the manager is unhappy with how things have unfolded.

“Van Nistelrooy came in knowing the challenges, and it was never going to be easy,” Bailey explained.

“But I’m told he was assured of backing in the market, with at least three new signings, including a striker.

A striker is still a priority, but I understand he has been far from pleased with the lack of action and has made his frustrations clear to the hierarchy.”

With tensions between Van Nistelrooy and the club’s owners increasing, there is a real possibility that he could walk away.

As things stand, Leicester are yet to secure another signing before the window closes, which could be a breaking point for the Dutchman.

Van Nistelrooy’s History Suggests He Could Resign

If Leicester fail to bring in reinforcements before the transfer deadline on February 3rd, there is a strong chance Van Nistelrooy could step down due to a lack of support from the club.

This would not be an unprecedented decision for the former striker.

He previously walked away from PSV Eindhoven at the end of a successful season in which he won two domestic trophies.

According to GOAL, PSV released a statement when Van Nistelrooy left after just one year in charge, citing a lack of support as the main reason for his departure.

They stated:

“Head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy announced on Wednesday morning that he would leave PSV.

After several discussions about internal affairs in recent weeks, a meeting took place on Tuesday evening between the Board of Directors and Van Nistelrooy.

It was decided to focus on Sunday’s match against AZ and continue discussions after the season.

“However, Van Nistelrooy reported this morning that he felt there was not enough support within the club to continue.”

If Van Nistelrooy was willing to walk away from a team that won two trophies and competed in Europe because he felt unsupported, it stands to reason that he would have no issue leaving Leicester, who are struggling at the lower end of the Premier League table.

Reports suggest he wanted up to four signings in the January transfer window.

If those demands are not met, history indicates that his patience may run out, leading to his departure.