How Nistelrooy would manage the Foxes
Ruud Van Nistelrooy offers Leicester a development-focused approach: improving players they already have and utilising the academy set-up to construct an energetic and talented first-team squad. The Dutchman has commented on his approach with Coaches' Voice.
"As a coach... you just try to help players reach their goals. And it is something that makes you feel really proud when you see young players develop"
Starting his coaching career as an academy coach with PSV Eindhoven was perhaps the best place to begin. There, players come into the academy and have a well-worn path into the senior side or are often sold for big money moves all across Europe's top leagues. Developing impressive talents with technical and physical excellence are the hallmarks of that club.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy grew from that. He watched as players such as Noni Madueke became clinical and explosive players and moved from the Dutch leagues to the Premier League. The developmental approach to young players, giving them opportunities in the senior side, and working closely with them is exactly what the Foxes could do with. We have a strong academy and great youthful talents, Leicester just need the right coach that can do that.
"the most important thing I took from working with... Sir Alex Ferguson was their relationships with the individual... When you reach that connection, you get the best out of people – and from there on you can help them build their careers"
When all the training is said and done, on match-day, surrounded by supporters and hostile fans, motivation is the key. We saw this with both Ferguson and Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool: even with reduced sides, when against tough opposition or stern defenders, having a team that wants to play for you, and is happy to play your style is just critical. Building a connection with those individuals that want to play football is everything.
Nistelrooy as a former player gets that so well. To get the best out of people on a day, you have to show you care about them. Sometimes, that will mean being harsher and stricter, but other times the head coach just needs to offer support and keep to any promises about game time or training. That is something the King Power side could do to help manage our remaining selection of big-name players. Imagine if we had 'RVN' while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was still around.
"It wasn’t a question of what football I wanted to play... It was more about... what is the best strategy to get the maximum out of the season? ... So it was mostly about adapting to the situation rather than implementing my own philosophy or style of play"
The possible future head coach is known for - despite having a preferred tactical approach - being extremely adaptable. His formations typically alter depending on the opposition and what team the Dutchman has available. Although this has only translated to around a 46% win ratio, that is across less than 100 matches total.