Leicester City suffered another defeat in the Premier League this past weekend, losing 2-0 to Fulham.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed manager in late November, taking charge of his first match on December 3rd against West Ham United. The Dutchman led Leicester to a win in that game, but since then, the team has been on a troubling losing streak.
While Van Nistelrooy has faced tough opponents like top-of-the-table Liverpool and Manchester City, he has also managed several matches where Leicester should have performed better. Most recently, goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore handed Leicester a 2-0 loss to Fulham.
Following that defeat, which marked Leicester’s seventh consecutive Premier League loss, many fans expressed their frustrations, calling for Van Nistelrooy to be sacked on social media and during the match at King Power Stadium. It wasn’t just the manager who faced criticism—fans also chanted for Jon Rudkin, the club’s director of football, to leave.
In the aftermath, former Leicester player Alan Smith speculated that these chants could prompt the board to act. He noted that the club had sold key players and struggled to replace them, leading to a squad that isn’t good enough for Premier League survival. Smith added that Van Nistelrooy, who thrived at PSV in a dominant Dutch league, may not be suited for a relegation battle. The manager’s lack of experience in such situations, coupled with mounting fan unrest, could lead to a managerial change, especially if the board feels pressure from the supporters.
Although calls for Van Nistelrooy’s dismissal may be premature, his eight-match winless run is concerning. Leicester will face a tough challenge against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, and even with Spurs in poor form, it’s hard to see Leicester picking up points. A crucial match against 16th-place Everton the following weekend could decide Van Nistelrooy’s future, and with additional games against Arsenal, Brentford, and West Ham to round out February, Leicester will need to start collecting points, especially in matches where they have a better chance of success.
Leicester City icon speculates owners could sack Ruud van Nistelrooy for something that happened vs Fulham
