Ruud van Nistelrooy confirms Leicester quit stance as two coaches SACKED

Ruud van Nistelrooy insists he plans to remain with Leicester regardless of whether or not they’re relegated from the Premier League with his contract committing him to the club for two more years

Ruud van Nistelrooy claims he will honour his contract – even if Leicester are relegated from the Premier League.

The Dutchman was hired as Steve Cooper’s replacement earlier this season but faces a tough task if the Foxes are to retain their top-flight status. Currently the three promoted sides are the favourites to go back to the Championship with Leicester among them.

The 4-0 defeat against Brentford at home left Leicester five points from safety but their manager, who signed a deal until the summer of 2027, has said he will remain at the King Power Stadium regardless of what league they’re in, provided the club stick by him.

Van Nistelrooy was under no illusions of the task ahead when he took over, shortly after his interim stint at Manchester United ended, and wants to be the man at the helm next season regardless of how this campaign turns out.

He said: “I know what contract I signed. It wasn’t a contract for five months or six months. It was a contract, after this, for two more seasons. I was aware when I arrived what the challenge was and how difficult it could be. I was aware of that and committed to that future.”

Following their hammering on Friday night changes have been made at Leicester with two of Van Nistelrooy’s coaches shown the door. The club have reacted by axing Ben Dawson and Danny Alcock. Both men joined Leicester under Cooper, but were initially retained to work with Van Nistelrooy, only to be removed months later.

Leicester, having been promoted as champions last term, have only won one of their last 11 games. The other ten were all defeats but Van Nistelrooy remains positive that they can mount a late charge for survival.

He said: “We know every game we’re playing is difficult and everything needs to be right for us to get results. We’ve noticed how hard it is to get results in the Premier League.

“We’ve managed to get some results where everything worked, where we had a bit of luck, where we changed the momentum of the game, we stayed in the game for long periods. Those moments are something we cling on to. We feel like we can do it.”

He also added: “I called it a mountain to climb but life is about climbing mountains and mountains are there to be climbed. That challenge I take.”

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