‘Focused On Sunday’ - Van Nistelrooy Ahead Of Season Finale

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‘Focused On Sunday’ - Van Nistelrooy Ahead Of Season Finale

Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to bring a disappointing season to a close with a positive conclusion at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.

2025-05-25T09:00+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

25 May, 2025

‘Focused On Sunday’ - Van Nistelrooy Ahead Of Season Finale

Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to bring a disappointing season to a close with a positive conclusion at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.

Sam Jones

2025-05-25T09:00+01:00

‘Focused On Sunday’ - Van Nistelrooy Ahead Of Season Finale

Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to bring a disappointing season to a close with a positive conclusion at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.

Sam Jones

2025-05-25T09:00+01:00

‘Focused On Sunday’ - Van Nistelrooy Ahead Of Season Finale

Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to bring a disappointing season to a close with a positive conclusion at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.

Sam Jones

2025-05-25T09:00+01:00

‘Focused On Sunday’ - Van Nistelrooy Ahead Of Season Finale

Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to bring a disappointing season to a close with a positive conclusion at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.

Sam Jones

2025-05-25T09:00+01:00

The Foxes will be playing in the Sky Bet Championship next term but head to Vitality Stadium for a 4pm BST kick-off on the final day, aiming to continue a run of three games unbeaten in the Premier League.

Ahead of the trip to the South Coast, City’s Manager shared his pre-match thoughts on development within the squad and the plan for tackling the Cherries with the assembled media at LCFC Training Ground…

‘Bring some positives’

Kasey McAteer celebrates with Wilfred Ndidi after his goal sealed a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town last time out.

Carrying a slice of optimism from recent results, which have included beating Southampton and Ipswich Town at home, as well as picking up a draw at Nottingham Forest, the 48-year-old admitted frustration that it has come so late on in the season, with relegation already confirmed in April.

“My drive is to prepare the game for Sunday with the players,” van Nistelrooy commented on Friday. “Six weeks ago, I changed the narrative on the season, shaping the future, bringing in Academy players. We had to because of the relegation, sadly enough.

“Those six weeks have been with development and results. It was the time that was needed for the development to show. But it’s true it was too late. It’s something that I want to continue with the players.

“For me, those six weeks we’ve been working on a certain development and preparing for next season in a certain way. That came with a development of individuals and bringing some positivity to the supporters, so that is what my focus is, to do that for one more game. I focus on what I can control.

“We wanted to break some cycles which we also achieved, bring some positives towards the end of the season, taking it into the new [season]. That is the last one for Sunday in this season and we’re focused on that.

“I’m responsible for the wellbeing and the good of the Football Club. It’s about what is good for the Football Club. That’s what I’ll continue to do and do on Sunday, because that’s the job in the short-term. How to attack next season… it’s a big one. There’s different ways to approach it.”

‘A quality side’

Bournemouth have impressed in 2024/25 with Andoni Iraola at the helm.

The Cherries are enjoying an excellent season under Andoni Iraola and could still finish ninth should they win and other results go their way, which would represent Bournemouth’s joint-best Premier League placing, having already collected more points in a Premier League season than ever before.

Analysing Sunday’s opposition, City’s Manager said: “We studied Bournemouth during the week, we are going to prepare the team today and tomorrow on and off the ball within their specifics.

“I think it’s a very direct, quick, strong, physical team with lots of dynamics and changes of positions. Full-backs with wingers, the way they approach to attack the sides with a lot of dynamics.

“[Justin] Kluivert and Evanilson are central players who also have the dynamics in between them coming and going to the ball and away from the ball. They have good footballing centre-backs. Dean Huijsen, a great development he made with a move to [Real] Madrid. Kepa [Arrizabalaga] in goal, it’s a quality side and a great challenge for us.”

‘Post-Vardy era starting’

A final day in Seagrave for the GOAT.

Jamie Vardy made his 500th and final City appearance on Sunday, bringing to a close his decorated 13-year association with the Foxes. An ending marked by reaching a double century of goals in a Leicester shirt, it was also an emotional final day in Seagrave this week, as we waved goodbye to the Club’s greatest ever player.

“Helping Jamie [Vardy] with his closure, leaving the Club in the best possible way - I’m very happy and delighted with how it all came to an end and we celebrated that,” van Nistelrooy added.

“He came in on Wednesday, we had the day off yesterday, so today (Friday) we’re in and Wednesday was the first training session he wasn’t there. But he was still in the building so you could still hear him.

“He made sure that he collected everything. He went past all the departments and all the people for a chat and a thank you. Of course, he will back here soon when he feels like it. He left and today is basically the first day that the post-Jamie Vardy era is starting really.”

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