His Leicester team had to ride their luck at times against West Ham, but a smiling Ruud van Nistelrooy’s victory has already given Foxes fans back their ‘belief’.
The Dutchman was appointed on Friday to replace Steve Cooper, who was sacked after just 12 Premier League games in charge of Leicester.
Van Nistelrooy watched his new team lose 4-1 to Brentford alongside Leicester owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha from the stands on Sunday.
However, his first game in charge got off to the perfect start on Tuesday, when Jamie Vardy’s first goal helped the Foxes win 3-1 at the King Power Stadium.
“In the end, you look at the result and the three points, in the position we are in, is vital,” said Van Nistelrooy, 48.
“We know the level of the Premier League and we know that in every game we play everything has to be good. We have to train and develop our defense, our counterattack, our possession.
“There are many things to work on but I am very happy with the three points.”
The victory puts Leicester in 15th place in the Premier League, two points behind the Hammers.
“The third day of work at the club, it has been very busy getting to know everyone. Everyone was involved and helping, they were long and busy days, but they were worth it,” Van Nistelrooy said in a post-match press conference.
“I was focused on the moment and today I’ll have a beer and reflect on the last three days.”
Graham Potter, former Brighton and Chelsea manager, said it was the “perfect start” and means fans will have “that trust and faith in the new manager and that is so important”.
“You can talk all you want, but if players really believe you and follow what you say, then it can be very powerful,” he told Amazon Prime. “The best way to gain confidence is to win football games.”
