Telegrah: Ruud van Nistelrooy to be named new Leicester City manager

The Dutchman is set to replace Steve Cooper and is crucially available without compensation having recently left Manchester United.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is close to a quick return to the Premier League as manager of Leicester City.

The Manchester United legend has held extensive talks with the Leicester hierarchy this week and will be confirmed as a replacement for Steve Cooper, who was sacked by the struggling side on Sunday afternoon.

Van Nistelrooy is crucially available without compensation after recently leaving United following a four-match spell in charge following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

Leicester have discussed the position with the 48-year-old and while the club's hierarchy are determined to explore a number of options, he could appoint the former Netherlands international ahead of Saturday's trip to Brentford.

Other possible suitors, including former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, and ex-West Ham manager David Moyes, have both been ruled out by sources close to Leicester.

Van Nistelrooy could be considered a gamble, but he has managerial experience at PSV Eindhoven, where he won the KNVB Cup in the 2022/2023 season before leaving towards the end of that season.

During his spell at Old Trafford, he guided United to two victories over Cooper's Leicester – first in the Carabao Cup and then in the Premier League.

He has held the UEFA Pro license for more than two years and previously coached the Dutch team as assistant to Ronald Koeman at the 2020 European Championship.

Van Nistelrooy won a Premier League title, FA Cup and League Cup in a brilliant five-year spell at United under Sir Alex Ferguson.

He also played for other heavyweight clubs including Real Madrid and PSV, while appearing for the Netherlands at three major tournaments.

Leicester are sixteenth in the table, one point above the relegation zone. After Saturday's match at Brentford, they play West Ham, Brighton, Newcastle and Wolves before Christmas, then Liverpool on Boxing Day and Manchester City on December 29.

Cooper was sacked on Saturday after former Leicester head coach Enzo Maresca's 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea.

The 44-year-old was in charge of just 12 league games before the decision was made by Leicester owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha to part ways.