Why 48-year-old Man United legend is Super Eagles midfielder Ndidi's new coach

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City have officially appointed former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new manager following Steve Cooper's dismissal. 

The announcement was made on Friday night, and the Dutchman signed a contract that extends until June 2027. This marks Van Nistelrooy's first managerial role in the Premier League, having previously managed PSV Eindhoven for a year.

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The decision to bring in Van Nistelrooy comes after Leicester's disappointing start to the season. The Foxes currently sit just one point above the relegation zone. 

Cooper was sacked after a string of poor performances, including a recent 2-1 defeat to Chelsea managed by their former boss Enzo Maresca, which left the team with only two wins from their first twelve matches. 

In the interim, first-team coach Ben Dawson will lead the squad for their upcoming match against Brentford before van Nistelrooy takes over reigns at the King Power.

In a statement from Leicester City Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, the club explained why the Dutchman was the right man to lead the former Premier League champions. 

“Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us,” he told the club’s website. We look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our club.” 

This sentiment reflects the club's hopes that Van Nistelrooy can replicate his success from his brief stint at Manchester United, where he achieved three wins and a draw in four matches as interim head coach.

Van Nistelrooy himself expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester is enthusiastic.” 

He acknowledged the club's rich history and passionate supporters, emphasising his eagerness to start working with the team.

His appointment follows a notable period at his former club United where he briefly took charge after Erik ten Hag's departure. During that time, Van Nistelrooy managed to galvanise the team, leading them to significant victories over Leicester. 

His previous experience at PSV Eindhoven saw him win the Dutch Cup before resigning towards the end of last season.