Ruud van Nistelrooy has the immediate backing of Leicester City’s board and has sacked two members of his backroom staff in a desperate bid to revive the club’s season.
The Dutchman is under increasing pressure after 10 defeats in the last 11 Premier League matches, but there is no desire to dismiss the Manchester United legend at this stage.
Leicester dismissed Steve Cooper after just 12 league matches in November but are throwing their support behind his successor, who has endured a nightmarish start at the King Power Stadium.
Ahead of a crucial week with two away games, Van Nistelrooy has taken action by axing first-team coaches Ben Dawson and Danny Alcock.
The pair both arrived under Cooper and were called in by Van Nistelrooy on Monday morning and informed of the decision.
Jelle ten Rouwelaar, the former goalkeeping coach at United, and Brian Barry-Murphy, from Manchester City, are the only backroom appointments made by Van Nistelrooy so far since his arrival in November.
Former Leicester midfielder Andy King has also been promoted to the first team from the junior levels.
Leicester are second-bottom in the table and the 4-0 defeat by Brentford on Friday means they have now lost six home games in a row without scoring – a Premier League record.
Van Nistelrooy’s strugglers face another daunting week with trips to West Ham United on Thursday and then Chelsea – managed by former Leicester head coach Enzo Maresca – on Sunday.
Despite their dire run, Leicester still remain in touch of safety and are only five points behind Wolverhampton Wanderers in 17th place.
Van Nistelrooy said: “We depend on the other teams to lose but we also know that’s not going to be forever. It’s on us to collect enough points. We are struggling to get some.
“Is the job harder than I thought it would be? It doesn’t matter if it is or not. It is as it is. I’m working within that situation.
“I didn’t know what it would be like, it’s not easy, it’s a hard situation and a huge challenge. That’s what we’re here for.”
