Ruud van Nistelrooy’s managerial reign at Leicester City began in style as the Foxes secured a crucial 3-1 victory over West Ham United at King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.
Just three days after his appointment, the Dutchman replaced Steve Cooper, who was sacked following a dismal run of results, and witnessed his side bounce back from a heavy 4-1 defeat to Brentford with a spirited performance in front of their home crowd.
Jamie Vardy’s goal just 98 seconds into the match set the tone for the evening. The Leicester captain, renowned for his record-breaking feats, continued his streak of scoring under new managers, netting the first Premier League goal for a sixth Leicester boss. Further strikes from Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka sealed the win, moving Leicester to 15th place in the Premier League table.
“In the end, you look at the result and the three points,” Van Nistelrooy, 48, said post-match. “In the position we’re in, it’s vital. There’s plenty to work on—defense, counterattacks, possession—but I’m very happy with the three points.”
Despite Leicester’s success, West Ham dominated the match, recording 31 shots—their highest tally since 2005-06. Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation goal, and the Hammers came close on several occasions, with Danny Ings hitting the post and Conor Coady making a goal-line clearance.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised Van Nistelrooy’s impact: “What a result for Ruud. Leicester looked lost before this, but he’s already made changes that brought a strong performance. There’s a lot for him to build on.”
Leicester’s next challenge is to sustain this momentum as they seek to climb further from the relegation zone. For now, Van Nistelrooy’s smile reflects renewed belief in the Foxes’ camp.
