Ruud van Nistelrooy: Smiling Dutchman brings belief back to Leicester after West Ham win
His Leicester side had to push their luck at times against West Ham United, but Ruud van Nistelrooy’s smiling victory has given Foxes fans a renewed sense of “belief”.
The Dutchman was appointed on Friday to replace Steve Cooper, who was sacked after just 12 Premier League games in charge of Leicester City.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was in the stands with Leicester City boss Ayyawat Srivathanabraha on Sunday to watch his new side suffer a 4-1 defeat at Brentford.
However, his first game in charge got off to a perfect start on Tuesday, with Jamie Vardy’s early opener giving the Foxes victory Won 3-1 at King Power Stadium.
“At the end you look at the result and the three points, it’s crucial for where we are,” said 48-year-old Van Nistelrooy.
“We know the level of the Premier League and we know it has to be right every game we play. We have to train and develop our defence, counter-attacks and possession.
“There’s still a lot to do but I’m very happy with the three points.”
The victory moved Leicester up to 15th in the Premier League, two points behind the Hammers.
“On our third day at the club we were very busy getting to know everyone. Everyone pitched in and helped, it was a busy and long day but worth it,” Van Nistelrooy said in his post-match press conference .
“I’m focused on the present and I’m going to drink myself some beer today and reflect on the past three days.”
Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter said it was a “perfect start” and meant supporters would have “trust and belief in the new manager, which is really important”.
“You can say whatever you want, but if the players truly believe in him and follow what he says, then it will be very powerful,” he told Amazon Prime. “The best way to gain trust is to win football games.”
