Van Nistelrooy must urgently sort out Leicester’s toxic dressing room

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY joined Leicester City last night as a replacement for Steve Cooper.

But he won't be able to sweep the problems he inherited under the carpet if he wants to succeed at the King Power.

Here are the five most pressing issues Van Nistelrooy must address if he is to fix the Foxes – and avoid Ruud waking up in his first permanent gig as Premier League boss.

CARE FOR A TOXIC DRESSING ROOM

Last week's video from a Copenhagen nightclub was an embarrassment to the club, its owner and the fans.

But most importantly, it would have been a shame for the players.

They might have thought it was smart to put up a sign expressing their love for Enzo Maresca and how much they missed him.

If it was meant as a slap in the face to their former boss Steve Cooper, who was fired hours later, then it missed the point by miles.

They must remember that Maresca walked out on them at the first opportunity, so their loyalty was misguided at best.

They deserved to have owner Top Srivaddhanaprabha read them the riot act during showdowns on Tuesday.

Van Nistelrooy has previously suffered from falling out after falling out with his PSV players and backroom staff after one season in charge – and that was after a successful season.

FOOTBALL FREE BETTS AND SIGN UP DEALS

His stellar reputation as a player will earn him instant respect – but the evidence is that this won't last long as the current squad starts to dislike him and start pining for Maresca again!

It is essential that Van Nistelrooy has a harmonious dressing room if Leicester are to flourish.

DEALING WITH A DODGY DEFENSE

The best bosses build from the back.

Because as every builder knows, without the right foundation your house is in danger of collapsing at any time.

Leicester have scored in all but one Premier League match this season, scoring as many goals as high-flying Nottingham Forest.

But they have kept just one clean sheet and only Wolves and rock bottom Southampton have leaked more goals than the Foxes' 23.

Cooper recognized the problem and his priority in January was to sign a smart stopper.

He watched with envy as his old club Nottingham Forest picked up the rock-solid Serbian Nikola Milenkovic in the summer.

Caleb Okoli is a promising prospect, but as raw as sushi.

Jannick Vestergaard is a Championship proven defender who is struggling in the Prem.

While Conor Coady is best suited to a three-man defense.

Van Nistelrooy must find a reliable partner for Belgian international Wout Faes – and quickly!

FIND A LONG TERM REPLACEMENT FOR CLUB LEGEND JAMIE VARDY

Jamie Vardy is by far Leicester's best striker, but at 37 that is the problem.

He may be enjoying an Indian Summer, but the big man can't go on forever and he needs to be used sparingly, while younger legs do the donkey work for him.

Unfortunately for Leicester fans, there is still no heir apparent to take over Vardy's throne.

Steve Cooper brought in Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Eduard, but neither looks like a long-term future.

The Foxes have had the fewest shots on target in the Premier League and their expected goals total is the second lowest in the Premier League.

Losing key winger Abdul Fatawu with a cruciate ligament injury for the rest of the season was a huge blow.

If Van Nistelrooy wants to survive at Leicester, he needs to find a younger version of himself somewhere!

But if anyone knows what it takes, it's RVN!

CONNECT TO THE FANS

Perhaps they have been spoiled with previous success.

After all, almost every Leicester fan is old enough to remember his team winning the Premier League, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and winning the FA Cup!

But those heady days of cardboard blowouts and an electric atmosphere have been replaced by moans, groans and grumbles.

Foxes fans can be a fickle bunch, just ask former heroes Claudio Ranieri, Brendan Rodgers or Craig Shakespeare – let alone Claude Puel or Steve Cooper!

Cooper was never given a chance by Leicester fans who could not see beyond his Nottingham Forest past.

Van Nistelrooy is already viewed with suspicion by many fans who doubt his coaching qualities after just one full season at PSV.

The Dutchman may have to turn to the charm to turn the tide with a fanbase that seems to have fallen out of love with many aspects of their club.

RECRUIT THE BEST SCOUT AVAILABLE

Steve Cooper found it almost impossible to sell Leicester to many potential players last summer as they all feared a potential 10-point fine for breaches of the profit and sustainability criteria would condemn them to a relegation battle.

Don't expect much to change in January with Leicester still walking a financial tightrope.

There is a shortage of money at King Power these days and there will be a limited transfer budget for Van Nistelrooy to work with.

He'll have to come up with some pretty creative bargains – hence the need for a top talent spotter.

The temptation will be great to return to the Netherlands and a market he knows well.

But as Erik ten Hag discovered to his regret: the Eredivisie is no longer paved with gold nuggets!