Leicester City has reportedly conceded that they may have made the wrong managerial appointment last November when they opted for Ruud van Nistelrooy over Graham Potter. The admission comes as the Foxes find themselves in dire straits in the Premier League, battling against relegation after a series of disappointing results.
Leicester’s Interest in Potter
During the summer of 2024, Leicester City was keen to bring in Graham Potter to lead their return to the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship. The former Brighton and Chelsea boss was widely regarded as an ideal candidate due to his experience in developing teams with an attractive style of play. However, Potter remained unattached, waiting for an opportunity that aligned with his long-term vision.
Despite missing out on Potter initially, Leicester continued to monitor his situation and once again considered him as a replacement when Steve Cooper was sacked in November 2024. However, rather than pushing harder to bring Potter on board, the club ultimately turned to Ruud van Nistelrooy, believing his experience at PSV Eindhoven and as a Manchester United legend could inspire the squad.
Van Nistelrooy’s Struggles at Leicester
Since taking charge, van Nistelrooy has faced immense difficulties managing the club. As of February 2025, Leicester City sits 19th in the Premier League table, five points away from safety. Their latest humiliation came in the form of a 4-0 thrashing at home against Brentford, marking their sixth consecutive home loss without scoring—a new Premier League record.
With mounting pressure, the club recently took drastic action by dismissing first-team coaches Ben Dawson and Danny Alcock in a desperate attempt to shake things up. Yet, many within the club and fanbase are beginning to wonder if van Nistelrooy was the right choice in the first place.
Regret Over Potter Decision
According to sources close to Leicester City, club officials now regret not making a stronger push for Graham Potter when they had the opportunity. Some believe the club should have done everything possible to convince him to take the job instead of settling for van Nistelrooy.
A Leicester insider revealed:
“The board had huge admiration for Potter and believed he was the right man to build something sustainable at the club. However, when it came time to make a decision in November, there was a sense of urgency to get someone in quickly. The choice fell on van Nistelrooy because of his pedigree as a player and brief but successful managerial stint at PSV. Now, looking at where we are, there’s a real sense that Potter should have been the priority.”
It is believed that Potter, who remains without a club, would have been open to discussions if Leicester had presented a stronger long-term project. However, with the club in crisis mode, it remains to be seen whether he would even consider stepping in now, should the opportunity arise again.
What’s Next for Leicester?
With van Nistelrooy’s tenure spiraling out of control, speculation is growing over whether Leicester will pull the plug on his time in charge before the season ends. The club’s recent actions—removing members of his coaching staff—could indicate that they are preparing for another managerial change.
If Leicester does decide to part ways with van Nistelrooy, it remains unclear whether Potter would still be an option or if they would have to look elsewhere for a replacement. Given the club’s current predicament, convincing a high-profile manager to take charge mid-season would be a significant challenge.
Fan Frustration Grows
Supporters have been vocal about their frustrations, with many expressing disappointment at the decision to appoint van Nistelrooy in the first place. On social media, some fans have called for immediate changes, arguing that the club should have done whatever it took to land Potter when they had the chance.
One Leicester fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This board had the chance to bring in Potter, but instead, they went for a gamble. Now, we’re on the brink of relegation. Absolutely shocking decision-making.”
Another added: “It’s painful to watch what’s happening. Six home defeats in a row, no goals, no fight. We need a change NOW!”
Final Thoughts
As Leicester City faces a pivotal moment in their season, the regret over missing out on Graham Potter serves as a stark reminder of how crucial managerial decisions can be. While van Nistelrooy still has time to turn things around, the reality is that his future at the club looks increasingly uncertain.
Should the Foxes take action and make a change before it’s too late? Or will they stand by van Nistelrooy in the hope that he can somehow rescue their season?
One thing is for sure: if Leicester City had a second chance, Graham Potter might be the man in charge right now.
