Van Nistelrooy on joining Leicester City: ‘Excited to start’ | OneFootball

Ruud van Nistelrooy says the objective for Leicester City is to “maintain in the Premier League” after becoming the Foxes’ new manager.

The 48-year-old Dutchman was announced as manager of the 2015/16 Premier League Champions last week, and was in attendance at their 4-1 defeat to Brentford on the weekend.

Leicester, who sacked Steve Cooper after their 2-1 loss at home to Chelsea last week, have signed the former PSV manager on a two-and-a-half year deal having left Manchester United following the arrival of Ruben Amorim.

When asked for his emotions following his appointment, van Nistelrooy could not hide his excitement at getting started:

“To be managing this club and this group of players and representing Leicester City, I’m proud,” van Nistelrooy said. “The conversations I had, twice I flew out to London to speak to the owner, it was important to get on the same page. We are excited to start working together.

“When the approach was first there, you think about the club, the set-up, the players. You want to know about the people who work there and Enzo knew, what better information to get. We spoke after Chelsea and he was really positive. He was absolutely right according to the first impressions I get.”

The former Red Devils striker departed Old Trafford two weeks ago after a four game spell as interim manager, where United won three times and drew once.

Having started the season as Erik ten Hag’s assistant, van Nistelrooy admitted he was surprised by the reaction he received from the wider footballing world after his unbeaten spell in interim charge:

“It was a good period, short and intense. I was happy to help steady the ship. They’re now on a run of good results. I enjoyed being responsible and getting a connection with the team. That felt great to do. I’m now in a position to do it again.

“What happened after the games, the amount of interest that was there for me, I was astonished. It was only four games. I had managed a full season at PSV and won the cup.

“I’ve been in coaching for a while. It had never got this reaction from the football world. It provoked this reaction and I was happy with that. I had conversations with different parties and made a decision that was right for me.

“The expectations are clear. They are not easy. It’s to maintain in the Premier League. It’s the big target.”