Leicester City fans slam ‘baffling’ decision as Russell Martin set to replace Ruud Van Nistelrooy

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Former Southampton boss Russell Martin is in contention to replace Ruud Van Nistelrooy as Leicester City manager.

Leicester City’s turbulent return to the Championship, following their relegation from the Premier League, continues with reports that change is imminent in the Foxes hotseat.

Off the field, the club is embroiled in financial turmoil, with Leicester facing a points deduction after they were charged by the Premier League for an alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules in relation to their 2023/24 Championship season.

On the field, Foxes legend Jamie Vardy has completed his fairytale ending at Leicester, ahead of his impending summer departure, with Wrexham dealt a blow in their pursuit of Vardy.

In the dugout, change is also afoot for the Foxes, with news emerging that former Southampton boss Russell Martin is in contention to replace Ruud Van Nistelrooy as the new Leicester head coach.

The Foxes faithful have taken to social media to share their divided reactions to the latest news, with Martin set to join Leicester “imminently”.

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Leicester City fans divided over Russell Martin replacing Ruud Van Nistelrooy

EFL Analysis exclusively revealed recently, via information from our Chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey, the Foxes’ stance on Van Nistelrooy remaining as Leicester manager is undecided.

Van Nistelrooy gave an “impressive presentation” to the board and Director of Football John Rudkin, and would want the chance to get them back to the top flight next term, but the latest revelations indicate the Manchester United legend is set to be replaced by ex-Saints boss Martin.

Foxes and Southampton fans took to social media to share their reactions to the “baffling” potential appointment.

One Leicester fan posted: “Baffling doesn’t even cut it when it comes to him (Russell Martin) being the frontrunner for the job.”.

Laying blame at the board, another supporter posted: “How can the board get so many managerial appointments wrong in a row.”, as another said: “This club is very stupid”.

One Foxes fan argued: “He’d be an utterly useless appointment”, as another said: “Leicester fans, they’ll want him sacked ten games in.”.

Another anti-Martin Foxes fan posted: “No one else wants him. Utter delusion on all sides.”, as another argued: “Rather keep Ruud!”.

“Probably the worst option.” said one Leicester supporter, as another argued: “Style of play similar to Enzo (Maresca). Also like Enzo always without a plan B, meaningless choice.”.

Martin is an unpopular choice amongst the Foxes faithful, but his managerial record compared to Van Nistelrooy’s does bode some optimism for the Leicester fanbase.

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Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s managerial record compared to Russell Martin’s

39-year-old Martin began his football coaching journey at MK Dons in November 2019, before being poached by Swansea City in August 2021.

Martin took Southampton back to the Premier League last season at the behest of Leeds United in the 2023/24 Championship play-off final, before being sacked by the Saints, having overseen just one top flight win in sixteen matches for rock bottom Southampton.

Van Nistelrooy has had coaching spells with various levels at Dutch giants PSV, and an interim spell as Manchester United boss, before being appointed by Leicester in December 2024 in the wake of Steve Cooper’s dismissal.

Under his tutelage, the Foxes suffered a barren run of form with only one win in 17 games at one point, with Van Nistelrooy overseeing their 18th-placed finish.