Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to accept Leicester City’s invitation to become their new manager.

Leicester are finalising an agreement to replace Steve Cooper, who was ousted after only five months, with the former Manchester United temporary coach.

There are strong signs that Foxes temporary manager Ben Dawson will take control against Brentford on Saturday, but Van Nistelrooy might be in command for Tuesday’s home game against West Ham.

Sky Sports News reports that Van Nistelrooy has had offers from many European teams to become a first-choice player.

Leicester had examined former Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg manager Niko Kovac and current West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan as potential choices, but have now decided Van Nistelrooy is their first pick.

The choice was made by club owner Aiyawatt Shrivadhannaprabha, also known as ‘Top’, who accepted personal responsibility for the selection, with director of football Jon Rudkin putting together a list of contenders.

Van Nistelrooy was named as Manchester United’s assistant manager in the summer, after leaving PSV Eindhoven before the end of the 2022/23 season.
When Erik ten Hag was fired in October, he took over as interim head coach and defeated Leicester twice – 5-2 in the Carabao Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League – to remain unbeaten in his four games in charge before the club announced his resignation following Ruben Amorim’s appointment.

Sky Sports’ Danyal Khan:

“This has always felt like a major appointment. Leicester City has had several managers in recent years. The previous time they were in the Premier League, they ousted Brendan Rodgers in April and only allowed Dean Smith eight games to try to save the club, which failed.

“Last season, Enzo Maresca brought them back to the Premier League before leaving for Chelsea. Steve Cooper only played 12 Premier League games. So this feels like a really big appointment, driven by the chairman.

“Leicester considered a variety of choices, but because compensation was an issue, they chose a free agent in Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“We witnessed what he was capable of during his four-game interim spell at Manchester United, not just in terms of results, but also in terms of goals scored. He demonstrated a rapid improvement.

“Leicester need a reconnection between the team and the supporters, and Van Nistelrooy is an excellent communicator. They want someone they can rally behind and support. “This is an exciting appointment.”

Why did Leicester fire Cooper?

Analysis by Sky Sports News’ Danyal Khan and Lyall Thomas:

“Despite sitting 16th with 10 points after 12 games, the club believes that making this move provides them the best chance of remaining in the Premier League.

“The club’s hierarchy believes they might be higher than they are; they have failed to defeat Ipswich and Everton, and their performances are becoming more of a concern.

“It is apparent Cooper had been attempting to impose the style he desired and make the adjustments he thought were required to improve things, but there was perceived to be resistance and a disconnect with the players.