‘I Love This Competition’ - Van Nistelrooy On The FA Cup

Next Match | Saturday 18 April Sat 18 Apr

POR

(A)

01 D

09 H

50 M

32 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

‘I Love This Competition’ - Van Nistelrooy On The FA Cup

Ruud van Nistelrooy is preparing to take charge of his first Emirates FA Cup fixture as a manager when Leicester City host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

2025-01-11T07:00+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

11 Jan, 2025

‘I Love This Competition’ - Van Nistelrooy On The FA Cup

Ruud van Nistelrooy is preparing to take charge of his first Emirates FA Cup fixture as a manager when Leicester City host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Sam Jones

2025-01-11T07:00+00:00

‘I Love This Competition’ - Van Nistelrooy On The FA Cup

Ruud van Nistelrooy is preparing to take charge of his first Emirates FA Cup fixture as a manager when Leicester City host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Sam Jones

2025-01-11T07:00+00:00

‘I Love This Competition’ - Van Nistelrooy On The FA Cup

Ruud van Nistelrooy is preparing to take charge of his first Emirates FA Cup fixture as a manager when Leicester City host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Sam Jones

2025-01-11T07:00+00:00

‘I Love This Competition’ - Van Nistelrooy On The FA Cup

Ruud van Nistelrooy is preparing to take charge of his first Emirates FA Cup fixture as a manager when Leicester City host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Sam Jones

2025-01-11T07:00+00:00

A break from Premier League duties sees attention turn to the third round of the FA Cup this weekend, with EFL Championship outfit QPR the visitors to King Power Stadium (2pm kick-off) - tickets for which are available HERE.

Ahead of the encounter, the Foxes Manager spoke with the media from LCFC Training Ground, discussing his memories of the competition, as well as why City will be doing all they can to advance into the next stage, despite other priorities elsewhere.

‘I’m a proud winner’

Celebrating lifting the coveted trophy in 2004.

Lifting the trophy with Manchester United back in 2004, having scored twice and won the Player of the Match award in the final – and claimed a runners-up medal the following year – the Dutchman developed a strong bond with the FA Cup which has continued until this day.

“I love the competition,” he stated to reporters on Thursday morning. “It’s the oldest cup tournament in the world and it’s a famous one as well. It’s also important to represent that and enjoy these games, so I’m looking forward to it.

“The feeling I have is that I’m a proud winner of the FA Cup as a player and I was able to play two finals in this great tournament. I know how much it meant to me to be able to win it with the team and the club at the time, which was Manchester United.

“The games you play, very tough games, are games on their own. Now it’s not a replay anymore with a draw, it’s straight to penalties, but it’s a fantastic tournament to be a part of.”

‘We approach to win’

The Spaniard has overseen an upturn in the west London club's fortunes.

Martí Cifuentes’ men have propelled themselves towards the top half of the EFL Championship table in recent weeks with just one defeat in 11 games and will provide a challenging encounter for van Nistelrooy’s side, who have one eye on the upcoming Premier League fixtures this month.

The 48-year-old continued: “It’s important to take this game seriously, to plan the game. As I’ve said before, every game we plan and approach to win. We’re also looking into the condensed schedule and what is important.

“We’ve rested players with little injuries, that won’t change, we’ll keep doing that. But of course, we have to say that the Premier League games at the moment for the Club are vital.

“At the moment of the draw, they (QPR) were second or third bottom of the Championship. Their current form has been very good. They’ve collected a lot of points with good performances and gained a lot of confidence.

“For us, it’s a great example of how things can turn around when you keep working and keep doing what you believe in. That’s why we are aware that we’re going to face a confident side that is very motivated to do well in this tournament.”

‘I feel the responsibility’

Appreciation for the travelling support at Villa Park.

Defeated in their previous five Premier League matches, there is a determination to end that run with progression in the FA Cup, acting as a springboard for an improvement in league form.

“The situation that we’re in now demands that we do better,” he added. “It’s development of the current players. I’m focusing on winning. But also building on the future of Leicester City where it can be a stable Premier League team and those things are very balanced.

“I feel the responsibility, I want to leave the Club in a better place and that’s what I’m working towards. I feel that we can relate to the bad run of form, but it was also a great possibility for the team to develop by playing Newcastle away, Liverpool away, Manchester City and Villa away in four of the five fixtures.

“Of course, it’s good to take those experiences and positive critics on performances turning into similar performances with results over the coming games.”

LATEST HEADLINES

Rowett: James & Ramsey Assessed Pre-Pompey Gary Rowett revealed that Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey are being monitored prior to our trip to Portsmouth.

12 Hours 4 Mins Ago

Pompey Clash Live On Foxes Hub We're at Fratton Park this Saturday lunchtime - here's how to follow the action across Foxes Hub.

13 Hours 9 Mins Ago

McSweeney ‘Really Pleased’ With Leeds Triumph Leon McSweeney believes our Under-21s were rewarded for a high level of performance produced during the 3-2 success over Leeds United on Monday.

15 Apr, 2026

Foxes On Target In World Cup Qualifiers Hannah Cain and Sari Kees both netted in recent FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, while Emily van Egmond scored for Australia.

15 Apr, 2026