New Foxes boss Van Nistelrooy feels weight of expectation

LONDON — Ruud van Nistelrooy said he was "astonished" by the number of offers he received as a result of his spell as Manchester United interim manager, as he attempts to plot a course to safety for Leicester in the Premier League.

The Dutchman had four games in charge at Old Trafford — two of them against Leicester — following Erik ten Hag's sacking at the end of October, but left the club with the arrival of Ruben Amorim last month.

Van Nistelrooy, speaking at his first news conference since replacing sacked Foxes boss Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium, said offers had poured in.

"What happened after the games and the amount of interest, the options that all of a sudden were there for me and the options that came along, I was a little bit astonished," he said on Monday.

"It was only four games (at United)," he added.

"I managed a full season at PSV(Eindhoven) and was able to win the cup and the charity shield. I have been coaching the (under) 19s and the national team (with the Netherlands), and it never got this reaction from the football world.

"It provoked these reactions and I was happy with that — and to get in conversations with different parties and be able to make a decision which felt really good for me. I am happy to be here."

He said that he had enjoyed his "intense" spell as a caretaker in the Old Trafford hot seat, and that he had helped "steady the ship".

"I really enjoyed it, being responsible, creating a connection with the team, with the supporters and turning the momentum for the club for a little bit," he added.

"That is our job, and it felt great to do. It just got better now, as I am in this position to do it again."

Van Nistelrooy, whose first game in charge of Leicester was against West Ham on Tuesday, takes over a side dangling just a point above the relegation zone after 13 games.

Caretaker boss Ben Dawson oversaw Saturday's 4-1 loss at Brentford, the team's third straight defeat.

Van Nistelrooy, a former striker for United and Real Madrid, said he was proud to have been given the opportunity to manage the former Premier League champion, where "expectations are clear".

"It is something we face; that challenge to maintain and play in the Premier League is the big target for everybody," he said.

The 48-year-old added: "In two days, it's difficult to make a lot of changes, but we have started to make changes in the style of play, training sessions, structure; little by little starting to build a foundation for a highly motivated team who can compete in this league."

Asked if the players needed to be picked up, Van Nistelrooy told reporters: "That is what needed to be done.

"Sunday was the first time that I was here. Was it yesterday? It feels longer.

"I had a meeting with the players, and it was the first thing to address.

"The situation we're in, the challenge that we face, and what's necessary to get out of that situation."

AFP