“From Hero to Headache: Van Nistelrooy Faces Brutal Backlash After Leicester’s Nightmare Season
Leicester City Relegated as Criticism Mounts for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Struggles
Leicester City’s drop to the Championship was confirmed over the weekend following a defeat to Liverpool—marking a disappointing end to their Premier League campaign.
Now, all eyes are on manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose time in charge has come under intense scrutiny.
The former Dutch striker has overseen just two victories since taking over, sparking speculation about his future at the club.
Among his critics is Dutch pundit Hugo Borst, who didn’t hold back when speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, with comments later shared by PSVFans.
“How remarkable is it that the last Dutch coach to make waves was in 2020, and before that, 1990? Slot is praised, yet he lacks international experience.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the Premier League, a legendary Dutchman seems to have completely messed things up,” Borst said, referring to Van Nistelrooy.
When asked if there should be sympathy for the 48-year-old manager, Borst responded bluntly. “He took on a team that couldn’t be saved.
Relegated with just three wins in 22 games—it’s something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.”
He went on to slam Van Nistelrooy’s decision to take the job in the first place: “His strikers scored once every 164 minutes. The defence was just as poor. He wasn’t pushing one broken system—he was trying to carry 11 corpses.”
Borst added: “Everyone warned him. Don’t do it, Ruud! Why jump into a hopeless situation? As a former striker, he should’ve known better. You don’t chase every ball—you save your energy.”
While the quality of Leicester’s squad made survival an uphill battle, Borst’s criticism raises a valid point about Van Nistelrooy’s timing.
After a promising run with PSV Eindhoven and a coaching stint at Manchester United, many believed he could have waited for a more stable opportunity.
Now, following a disastrous first taste of Premier League management, Van Nistelrooy will need to carefully consider his next move to rebuild his reputation on the touchline.
