Van Nistelrooy: As Long as We Have a Mathematical Chance, We Keep Going

Leicester City edge ever closer to a return to the Championship, as the managerial switch to Ruud van Nistelrooy has yet to turn their fortunes around. Sunday’s 3–0 defeat at home to Manchester United left the Foxes further adrift from safety in the Premier League.

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“The difference today was all about efficiency—how both teams took their chances, scored goals, and defended at key moments in the match,” Van Nistelrooy noted. “I felt we had opportunities to get one or two goals ourselves, but it’s clear we’re not making the most of them right now. You could see that out on the pitch.”

Defensive lapses also proved costly for Leicester: “There were crucial moments where we needed to defend better. In these types of matches, you either have to find a way to score or prevent your opponents from doing so. We didn’t manage either.”

Despite the setback, the Dutch coach remains positive about the team’s effort: “Our players showed commitment, tried to press and create chances. The next step is to start taking them. As long as there’s a mathematical possibility to stay up, we’ll keep going. We’re professionals, and there’s no question of giving in while there’s even a theoretical chance of survival.”

Asked about plans for the upcoming international break, Van Nistelrooy sees it as a partial reset: “It’s an opportunity to recharge. The players who aren’t called up for national duty need a bit of rest and recovery. Those going off to represent their countries, we hope they come back fresh and ready. We’ll keep working here with the remaining group. Then, once everyone returns, we’ll push on together again.”