In choosing to make a change just 12 fixtures into the new Premier League season, Leicester City are giving incoming manager Ruud van Nistelrooy ample time to correct the course the hierarchy believed they were on.
Naturally for a team that has not been performing to the standards expected, there are a few matters to sort and a few problems to fix. Here, we run down the five biggest tasks the Dutchman faces when he becomes the new City manager.
Get the players on side
Saturday night’s video from a club in Copenhagen was the surest sign that the squad were not convinced by Steve Cooper. For any team to be successful, the players need to fully buy in to the manager and their tactics.
So, ingratiating himself with the squad will be the first big task for the Van Nistelrooy and then it will be about coming up with a plan that they believe in and want to play in. Being as popular as Enzo Maresca is a tough ask, but that level of respect from the squad should be the aim. His standing in the game as a striker should help.
Take one of two routes over defensive problems
City have kept just one clean sheet this Premier League season, ranking third for shots conceded and third for expected goals against. It is not a sustainable tactic to give up plenty of chances and hope for Mads Hermansen heroics.
So a fix is needed at the back and there are two routes available for Van Nistelrooy. It’s possible for both to be taken at the same time, but at least one needs to be followed. Either the defensive structure needs to become more solid so City limit the number of good opportunities they give up, or they need to learn to keep the ball for longer, and with more composure, thereby restricting the possession of the opposition.
Find the perfect combo of attacking players
City’s underlying attacking numbers aren’t good enough either. After taking just 10 shots over the past two games combined, they have now had the fewest efforts on goal in the Premier League. Their expected goals total is the second lowest in the division.
But it feels like they have good attacking options. Even with Abdul Fatawu ruled out, they have a handful of exciting forward-thinking players like Facundo Buonanotte, Stephy Mavididi and Bilal El Khannouss. Jamie Vardy has shown he can still net at the top level, while Jordan Ayew has come up trumps on occasion too.
Finding the best combination of attackers to allow City to create more chances is integral. They may have only failed to score in one match so far this season, but unless they improve, the stats suggest the goals may dry up. Thankfully, Van Nistelrooy’s PSV side scored for fun.
Win over a disillusioned fanbase
This is a big job for any new manager. There’s not quite the passion in the stands that was present at the King Power Stadium previously, but that’s just as much to do with a series of off-field issues, and the general state of the game, rather than just the team on the pitch.
Van Nistelrooy will get strong backing from the fans immediately, but he may need to make a quick impression to retain that support. As always, if he can at least guarantee performances where the players are willing to run hard, go strong into 50-50 challenges, and look forward on the ball, the noise from the stands should be there.
Thoroughly assess the squad ahead of January window
The benefit of the early sacking is that Van Nistelrooy will get the opportunity to tinker with the squad. But, given the financial concerns, there may not be much money to play with.
In that case, a thorough assessment of the squad is required. If, say, only two positions can be strengthened, then Dutchman needs to know exactly where he feels the team is short. He will have about a month to make those decisions.