Ruud van Nistelrooy has found one Premier League record that Jamie Vardy almost certainly won’t steal from him.
The newly-appointed Leicester City manager made history the second the Foxes kicked off their league win over West Ham at the King Power Stadium.
Goals from Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka saw Van Nistelrooy get off to the ideal start for a side he’s already inflicted pain on this season.
Having already downed his new side twice during his interim spell at Manchester United, the Dutchman has become the first person to do so and then go on to manage them in the same season.
Unusual records aren’t new for Van Nistelrooy, who formerly held the longest streak for consecutive Premier League games scored in while at United.
However, his figure of ten was eclipsed by his new striker Vardy in 2016 when he reached 11.
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Van Nistelrooy, a United legend from his stint as a striker from 2001 to 2006, re-joined the club in the summer as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.
When Ten Hag was sacked following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham on October 27, Van Nistelrooy stepped in on an interim basis.
The 48-year-old coached just four games, but coincidentally two of them were against his new side, first in the Carabao Cup and then the Premier League.
Starting off his interim spell he defeated Steve Cooper’s side 5-2 and 3-0, helping the Welshman out the door.
And now with Cooper gone, Van Nistelrooy was able to pick up the pieces and step in at Leicester.
However, if the Dutchman had it his own way, he may well still be at Old Trafford.
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During his four game stint Van Nistelrooy put in an impressive showing with three wins and a draw against Chelsea.
That, coupled with his two trophies coaching PSV Eindhoven, could have landed him the job on a full-time basis, something he was keen for as he repeatedly stated during his time back at the club.
And even when United’s hierarchy overlooked him in order to bring in Ruben Amorim, Van Nistelrooy said he was keen to stay on as an assistant.
That didn’t happen, though, and United’s loss is Leicester’s gain, even though he has now admitted he found their interest surprising.
Speaking ahead of his first match as Leicester manager, he said: “What happened after the games, the amount of interest which was there all of a sudden, for me, the options which came along, I was astonished.
“I thought, ‘it was four games, and I’ve managed a full season at PSV’. We won the Dutch Cup and the Charity Shield and the championship with Jong PSV as well.
Leicester fan predicted that Steve Cooper would be replaced by Ruud Van Nistelrooy
“It never got this reaction from the football world. Apparently it provoked this reaction and I was only happy with that. To get into conversations with different parties, and to get into a position which felt really good for me. Now I’m here.”
Van Nistelrooy’s deal was announced on November 29 with the Dutchman signing a contract until 2027.
Before facing West Ham, Leicester sat 16th in the Premier League, only a point from the relegation zone thanks to a three-game losing streak.
But the Foxes move up to 15th thanks to their 3-1 triumph against the Hammers with Vardy putting Leicester ahead within the opening two minutes of the match.
Vardy was initially flagged offside, however, replays show he actually timed his run effectively when latching onto a through ball and the goal was awarded after a lengthy VAR check.
Morocco international El Khannouss doubled Leicester’s lead just after the hour mark as he rounded off a well-worked move with a deft finish beating Lukasz Fabianski at his near post.
Patson Daka then put some gloss on the scoreline with an emphatic left-footed finish from inside the box. Niclas Fullkrug pulled a consolation goal back for West Ham in stoppage time as he nodded the ball home following a corner from the right.
