Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League was officially sealed following a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on April 20, 2025, marking their second drop to the Championship in three seasons. The club’s struggles were evident throughout the campaign, with a disastrous run of form that included a record nine consecutive home defeats without scoring.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed after Steve Cooper’s dismissal in hopes of sparking a turnaround, but the Dutchman was unable to arrest the decline. Under his management, Leicester’s results worsened, and the club failed to mount a credible survival bid. By the time of relegation, Van Nistelrooy had overseen just four wins, one draw, and 15 losses in 20 matches. The Foxes ended up 19th in the table, well adrift of safety, with only 19 points and a maximum of 18 still available at the time of their relegation.
Van Nistelrooy’s future at Leicester is now highly uncertain. He has publicly acknowledged the need for clarity regarding his position, stating after the Liverpool defeat that he hopes for a decision “soon” so preparations for the new season can begin. However, given the scale of the club’s collapse and the expectation of a significant rebuild, it is widely anticipated that Van Nistelrooy will be replaced before the start of the 2025-26 Championship campaign.
Leicester now face a crucial summer, not only in terms of appointing a new manager but also addressing financial challenges. The club may be subject to a Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) investigation following significant losses in recent years, which could impact their ability to strengthen the squad for an immediate promotion push.
Leicester’s relegation and Van Nistelrooy’s likely departure mark the beginning of a major rebuild, with the club needing swift decisions to prepare for life back in the Championship.