Merson predicts Leicester relegation while candidate too similar to Cooper
One Leicester City managerial candidate was just too similar to former Foxes boss Steve Cooper. That's why he didn't get the top job at King Power Stadium. But who is this manager whose style is at odds with what LCFC chairman Top Srivaddhanaprabha wants for the team? And what are these undesirable methods the east Midlands outfit wish to distance themselves from?
In addition to covering that topic, we look at what a prominent pundit said of Leicester reportedly appointing Ruud van Nistelrooy. While Sky Sports analyst Paul Merson was impressed with the former Manchester United and Holland striker, he's not bowled over by van Nistelrooy's management record. Furthermore, the one-time Arsenal star says the Foxes will be relegated in spite of the Dutchman's timely appointment.
Paul Merson rated Ruud van Nistelrooy as a player - but not Leicester City's chances of survival
I must admit that I am quite optimistic about the latest manager installation on Filbert Way. Well, I will be when the Foxes actually decide to announce the new gaffer. To be fair, The Telegraph and Fabrizio Romano have declared van Nistelrooy the new boss of Leicestershire team. And they are more than good enough sources for me.
Anyway, at the time of writing van Nistelrooy is probably somewhere inside the King Power putting the final touches on legal requirements etcetera. But when he is the LCFC manager publicly, the Blue Army will have the right to be excited. If he wasn't a stunning enough player, the 44-year-old has also shown positive signs as a boss for numerous reasons.
Though great footballers don't always make a great coaches, or sufficient head coaches for that matter. If any have a chance, pedigree and a bit of recent experience, then van Nistelrooy is arguably that man. For now, optimism surrounds Leicester.
Yet Merson, that cheeky chappy who was also as gifted a player as they come, does not fancy City's prospects of avoiding the drop this season. And the ex-Gunner made that daunting assertion after learning of RvN's imminent arrival at Leicester.
"He had three games, he beat Leicester twice so it’s not a bad audition is it? They probably thought he was the one that beat them and not Man United.
- Paul Merson
It will be interesting, let’s be honest, if he wasn’t at Man Utd for those few games, he stayed on and did well, he wouldn’t be getting this job so hopefully he takes advantage of it.
Good luck to him, he was a top, top player and hopefully he can turn Leicester around. Do I think Leicester can get turned around? No, I don’t think they can, I think they will be relegated, I have watched them too many times this season and I don’t see them staying up."
Why Foxes hierarchy didn't realistically consider Carlos Corberan for club's hot seat
Corberan is rated in the game. Though, evidently, he wasn't suited to LCFC for one alleged reason: his tactical similarity to Cooper. While the West Bromwich Albion chief has done well with minimal funding, his modus operandi reminded some at the King Power of the Welshman.
"I wonder how tactically different Carlos is from Steve Cooper. You know, in terms of Steve, he wanted to get his teams organized, hard to beat, hard to break down, hard to score against and to compete.
- Don Goodman
Well, that’s Carlos Corberan’s DNA, isn’t it? So if you’re Leicester, are you really going to gamble on a Championship manager who has that DNA? I’m not so sure."
feed