Veteran broadcaster Richard Keys has voiced strong criticism of Leicester City’s director of football, Jon Rudkin, following the latest managerial shake-up at the King Power Stadium. The comments come in the wake of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s departure from the club by mutual consent on Friday, just days before the Foxes are set to begin pre-season training.
Van Nistelrooy Leaves After Seven-Month Spell
Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed in November 2024, steps down after an unsuccessful stint that saw Leicester relegated to the Championship. He had replaced Steve Cooper, who lasted just five months in the hot seat before being relieved of his duties. The Dutchman’s exit marks yet another managerial change under Rudkin’s watch, raising questions over the club’s decision-making at the executive level.
Leicester City announced Van Nistelrooy’s departure with a statement that highlighted his professionalism and his efforts to integrate young academy players into the first-team setup. Despite the club’s relegation, he was praised for his conduct during what was described as a “challenging period.”
Keys Calls for Accountability in Football Leadership
Reacting to the news, Richard Keys took to X (formerly Twitter) to question why Rudkin remains in his role despite overseeing what he considers to be a string of costly managerial mistakes.
“Why aren’t Leicester firing Jon Rudkin along with Van Nistelrooy?” Keys asked. “How many bad appointments can he get away with? These decisions cost millions. Why aren’t people accountable for them? There isn’t another business in the world where failure is protected like it is in football.”
Keys’ remarks reflect a broader frustration among some pundits and supporters about the lack of accountability among football executives, particularly when frequent managerial changes lead to financial and sporting instability.
Leicester Begin Search for New Manager Ahead of Pre-Season
With pre-season training set to commence on June 30, Leicester are now racing against the clock to appoint a new manager in time. In the meantime, the existing first-team coaching staff will oversee preparations.
Van Nistelrooy also issued a personal farewell through the club’s official statement: “I would like to personally thank the Leicester City players, coaches, academy and all the staff I have worked with for their professionalism and dedication during my time at the Club and to thank the fans for their support. I wish the Club well for the future.”
Candidates Already Being Considered
The managerial vacancy has already attracted interest, with names such as former Everton boss Sean Dyche and Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl reportedly being considered for the role. Whoever takes over will inherit a squad in transition and face the immediate challenge of guiding Leicester back to the Premier League.
Leave a Reply