Ruud van Nistelrooy is appointed Leicester’s new manager less than three weeks after leaving Man United – with the Dutchman set to watch Brentford clash from the stands

Ruud van Nistelrooy will watch Leicester’s clash with Brentford on Saturday from the stands after signing a contract until 2027 to manage the Premier League strugglers. 

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker, who left his coaching role at Old Trafford earlier this month, will be in the dugout when the Foxes meet West Ham at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.

Van Nistelrooy succeeds Steve Cooper, who was sacked after just 12 league games at the helm.

‘I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic,’ Van Nistelrooy said after the appointment on Friday evening. 

‘They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive. 

‘I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club. 

Leicester moved quickly after sacking Steve Cooper following their weekend loss to Chelsea

Van Nistelrooy only left Man United earlier this month after a brief interim spell in charge

He was in charge of PSV Eindhoven for the 2022-23 campaign and won two domestic cups, but resigned one game before the end of the Eredivisie season. Ben Dawson, part of Cooper’s coaching staff, will be on the touchline against Brentford.

Even though results were not disastrous, Leicester chiefs were alarmed by the standard of performances while the change in approach between Cooper and Enzo Maresca, who led the side to promotion before joining Chelsea, is also thought to have unsettled a number of players.

Cooper struggled to win over the majority of the squad. At their Christmas party in Copenhagen on Saturday night – a trip which had been approved by Cooper – players were pictured in the Museo nightclub in the city. In one of the pictures, a reveller holds aloft a sign ‘Enzo I miss you’.

Mail Sport understands Leicester put out feelers to Graham Potter last Sunday night though yet again, Potter is thought to have been unconvinced.

Potter was approached by Leicester after they sacked Brendan Rodgers 18 months ago, and after Maresca departed.

Potter was reluctant to commit himself on both occasions. David Moyes was also sounded out but talks went no further.

Cooper was hired on a three-year contract last summer and left with Leicester in the best position of the three sides promoted from the Championship last term.