The Stats Indicating Leicester Were Doomed Under Ruud van Nistelrooy

When Leicester City made the decision to bring Ruud van Nistelrooy on board in November 2024, the expectation was clear: revive the glory days of the King Power Stadium.

Fans hoped that some of the enchanting football he showcased during his time at Manchester United would influence the Foxes’ squad, especially after the departure of Steve Cooper, who was dismissed following a meagre two league victories at that stage of the season.

A promising 3-1 victory over West Ham in his debut match hinted that brighter days lay ahead, especially given his earlier stint as interim manager at United, where he secured three wins and one draw from four games.

Had the situation been different, it’s conceivable that Van Nistelrooy could have found a role under his successor Ruben Amorim. However, the Portuguese coach made his intentions clear from the outset, indicating he had his preferred staff, which ultimately allowed Van Nistelrooy to carve his own path.

Leicester welcomed his expertise with open arms, yet the convincing win over West Ham masked deeper issues that would plague the 48-year-old throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

However, the statistics from that game told a different story, with West Ham enjoying a staggering 61.1% possession and registering 31 shots in comparison to just eight from Leicester. Had the Hammers’ forwards found their shooting boots, the match could well have been decided before half-time.

With 20 successful dribbles, 29 aerial duels won, and an impressive 86% pass completion rate, the east London side significantly outperformed the hosts.

In football, goals are what truly matter, so the shortcomings of Leicester’s performance were largely overshadowed by the result.

Concerns Rising After Extended Wait for Second League Victory

By the time Leicester secured their second league win under Van Nistelrooy—a 2-1 triumph against Tottenham at the end of January—doubts about his capabilities had already arisen.

A subsequent 2-2 draw with Brighton followed the West Ham match, but a dismal stretch of seven consecutive league losses prior to facing Spurs signalled that the Foxes’ tactical setup was misguided.

Even a high-scoring 6-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup did little to alleviate mounting concerns.

Following their victory over Spurs, Leicester’s form nosedived, with a run of nine consecutive Premier League defeats, managing just a solitary goal against Manchester United while failing to score in the other eight fixtures.

A second 2-2 draw against Brighton provided only a momentary break before a 1-0 loss to Liverpool sealed their relegation fate, simultaneously aiding Liverpool’s title ambitions.

Historic Relegation Threatens Club’s Stability

Leicester made unwanted history by becoming the first team in the English top flight to endure nine straight home league matches without finding the net. This grim milestone amplified calls for managerial change, with Jamie Vardy among the first to label the season as “miserable.”

It’s likely Vardy won’t be the last Leicester player to voice their frustrations, leading to the question of Van Nistelrooy’s future.

Could relegation actually prove beneficial for the Dutchman, allowing him to rebuild in the hopes of bouncing back to the Premier League? Or will the owners opt for a complete reevaluation of their strategy?

The outcome may hinge on the findings of a comprehensive season review.

The data will reveal that only Southampton has scored fewer goals than Leicester’s 27 in the 24/25 season, and the Saints are also alone in conceding more than the Foxes’ alarming 73.

Jamie Vardy’s Exit Leaves Voids to Fill

Only ten players in the Leicester squad managed to contribute goals, with Vardy—at 38 years old—leading the pack with a mere seven strikes. This lack of scoring from a player who was once part of one of the best striking partnerships in football raises questions about the manager’s efficacy in maximising his squad’s potential.

Now that Vardy’s departure has been confirmed, the responsibility falls squarely on the club to recruit effectively for the goals they’ll need in the Championship next season.

If issues in front of goal were Van Nistelrooy’s only challenge, changes might have been made sooner. Yet, it’s alarming that only Harry Winks recorded a pass completion rate exceeding 80%. In contrast, defenders Conor Coady and Wout Faes ended the season with appalling rates of 52.9% and 55.6% respectively.

With goalkeeper Mads Hermansen managing a dismal 18% completion, the deterioration of their ball distribution was a significant contributor to their downfall.

Lack of Fighting Spirit

Only four players from the squad recorded over 100 ball recoveries, which is utterly unacceptable for a team battling to avoid relegation, while only Jannik Vestergaard (60.2%) surpassed 50% in one-on-one duels.

Of those players making more than 15 tackles this season, only Vardy and Abdul Fatawu boasted a tackle success rate above 70%, showcasing a sobering truth: many in the current squad appeared to lack commitment to the fight.

This paints a grim picture for Van Nistelrooy’s managerial credentials, and it would hardly be surprising if Leicester decided to part ways with him this summer.

As his former Manchester United striking partner Wayne Rooney has discovered, being a legend on the pitch doesn’t guarantee success in the dugout—neither does it for Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard.

Thus, one must ponder which club would be willing to take a risk on a manager with such a dismal record (P21 W2 D2 L17) and present him as the ideal candidate to their supporters.