Alan Shearer has praised Ruud van Nistelrooy for taking on the challenge of trying to keep Leicester City up – even if he doesn’t want the Dutchman to do well this weekend.

Van Nistelrooy, 48, became Leicester’s new boss last month following a brief interim stint at Manchester United and his new club are currently five points clear of the relegation zone.

The former Premier League goal machine now faces the pressure of trying to keep Leicester’s head above water rather than challenging for honours like he’s used to.

Leicester face Shearer’s beloved Newcastle today and the Magpies legend has plenty of admiration for Van Nistelrooy’s desire to manage in the Premier League – but he’s hoping the Toon Army can inflict more misery on the Foxes at St James’ Park.

Betfair ambassador Shearer said of Van Nistelrooy: “He’s made a positive start and I think it’s always nice if you can get off to a good start. It sort of sets the foundations for the players to look and listen to you and [you can] get your ideas across. But he’s got a tough job.
“I think it’s great that someone of his stature and ability still wants to be involved in the game and manage.”

Van Nistelrooy was unbeaten during his four-match stint at the helm of United and, ironically, beat Leicester twice.

The former PSV Eindhoven coach still ranks highly on the Premier League’s all-time scorer list but, as Shearer points out, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be successful as a manager.
Shearer added: “He obviously had another taste of [management] in the Premier League with Man United.
“He did well, and then he said himself didn’t he that it was amazing how many offers came along [as a result of that] so I’m pleased for him.