RUUD VAN NISTELROOY made his first appearance as manager for Leicester City last night, taking over after the exit of Steve Cooper.
To make a mark at the King Power Stadium, he must confront the challenges ahead rather than ignore them if he aims to create a significant legacy.
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Here are five key issues Van Nistelrooy must tackle to rejuvenate the Foxes and avoid a tough wake-up call in his first full-time managerial role in the Premier League.
ADDRESS A TOXIC DRESSING ROOM
A recent incident captured in a video from a nightclub in Copenhagen has cast a shadow over the club, causing embarrassment to its management and fans.
This occurrence should have been a point of embarrassment for the players involved.
They may have found it amusing to showcase their affection for Enzo Maresca and express their wish for his return.
If it was meant as a jab at their former manager Steve Cooper, it has truly backfired.
They need to acknowledge that Maresca left them at the first chance he got, raising doubts about their loyalty.
Owner Top Srivaddhanaprabha should have given them a serious reprimand during the extensive discussions on Tuesday regarding the club’s future.
Van Nistelrooy is recognized for his zero tolerance policy; he managed player discontent at PSV even after a successful inaugural season.
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His distinguished playing career will earn him immediate respect, but that respect could quickly wane if the current squad becomes disenchanted, yearning for Maresca’s return!
Building a cohesive dressing room is vital for Leicester’s success going forward.
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Leicester players celebrated in a nightclub next to an ‘Enzo, I miss you’ sign, just hours following their defeat to Chelsea and the dismissal of Cooper.
FIX A LEAKY DEFENSE
Successful managers prioritize establishing a solid defense.
As any architect would advise, without strong foundations, a structure risks collapsing.
Leicester has found the back of the net in all but one of their Premier League matches this season, matching the prolific Nottingham Forest in goal tally.
However, they have managed only one clean sheet, with only Wolves and last-placed Southampton conceding more goals than Leicester’s 23.
Cooper recognized this predicament and aimed to recruit an experienced goalkeeper in January.
He envied his former club Nottingham Forest for securing solid Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic over the summer.
Caleb Okoli shows promise but is still evolving.
Jannick Vestergaard, a familiar name in the Championship, has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
Conversely, Conor Coady is more suited to a system with three defenders.
Van Nistelrooy must promptly find a reliable partner for Belgian international Wout Faes.
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IDENTIFY A LONG-TERM REPLACEMENT FOR JAMIE VARDY
Jamie Vardy continues to be Leicester’s top striker, but at 37 years old, this is becoming increasingly problematic.
Though he is showing signs of resurgence, he cannot sustain this indefinitely and should realistically reduce his responsibilities to allow younger players to step up.
Unfortunately for Leicester fans, there is currently no evident successor ready to take over Vardy’s role.
Steve Cooper brought in Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Eduard, but neither has proven to be a long-term answer.
The Foxes hold the record for the fewest shots on target in the Premier League and possess the second-lowest expected goals tally.
Injuries to key winger Abdul Fatawu, who is out for the entire season with an ACL injury, have severely affected their potential.
If Van Nistelrooy wants to thrive at Leicester, he needs to discover a younger version of himself!
But who better to identify that?
