Van Nistelrooy: A Relief To Break The Cycle

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admits relief was one of the overriding emotions after Leicester City ended a lengthy run at home without a win as we defeated Southampton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

2025-05-04T09:00+01:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

04 May, 2025

from King Power Stadium

Van Nistelrooy: A Relief To Break The Cycle

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admits relief was one of the overriding emotions after Leicester City ended a lengthy run at home without a win as we defeated Southampton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-04T09:00+01:00

Van Nistelrooy: A Relief To Break The Cycle

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admits relief was one of the overriding emotions after Leicester City ended a lengthy run at home without a win as we defeated Southampton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-04T09:00+01:00

Van Nistelrooy: A Relief To Break The Cycle

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admits relief was one of the overriding emotions after Leicester City ended a lengthy run at home without a win as we defeated Southampton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-04T09:00+01:00

Van Nistelrooy: A Relief To Break The Cycle

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admits relief was one of the overriding emotions after Leicester City ended a lengthy run at home without a win as we defeated Southampton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-05-04T09:00+01:00

Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to our 2-0 Premier League success over Southampton
Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew found the net for Leicester City
The Manager was pleased to 'break the cycle' of home defeats this term
He also discussed the appearances of youngsters Jeremy Monga, Jake Evans and Michael Golding

First-half goals from Jamie Vardy – his 199th for the Club – and Jordan Ayew means a nine-game stretch of no goals and no points at King Power Stadium finally is at an end.

Already relegated, on the face of it there is little to play for this term, but Van Nistelrooy is adamant that is not the case. Not only is there pride at stake, but also momentum must be built as attention turns to the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

“It’s good to feel this again,” the Dutchman said at full-time. “We knew the amount of home games where we didn’t score and win. We wanted to break that cycle. It obviously had to be Jamie, with a great left-footed finish.

“We got him his goal, one closer to his 200th, so there’s lots of positives, with the result and the clean sheet and the young lads coming on.

“It’s a day to enjoy and that’s what we did. It was a great finish, after a good move on the left side with Luke [Thomas] and Bilal [El Khannouss]. It was a good cross and a lethal finish into the top corner with the left foot.

“He was a threat during the game so it was a good performance from him.”

The hard work and preparation on show on Saturday particularly pleased van Nistelrooy, but the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid striker is keen to highlight it does not make amends for the ultimate outcome of a disappointing season.

“The players showed their commitment and their motivation to do well – and to prove a point,” he added. “We can’t undo this season, the way it went, and we all are deeply disappointed and sad about how it went.

“There’s only one thing left to do and that’s to finish the season as good as we can. That’s what we did. You could see the atmosphere today, to give the fans this game, and see the young lads coming on, a glimpse of the future, it’s a good feeling.

“We are not celebrating, there’s no need to, but you could feel relief in there. The players are working hard to get something, some positives, and to give the fans some positives and they did that.

“They worked hard, they were prepared, and they were committed to doing their best. You could see that in the reaction of the crowd so a compliment to the team.

“I’m not sure [I’ll be raising a glass] but it’s a relief to break the cycle in the home games, get goals in front of our home crowd. That’s done now, that run, and we can take this game and feel better and also be motivated to continue this for the last three games.”

Jakub Stolarczyk filled the breach created by Mads Hermansen requiring surgery and his Manager was pleased with his contribution, helping Leicester secure just their second Premier League clean sheet of 24/25.

“He did himself proud and he played well, because he prepares himself every day in the best way possible,” the 48-year-old explained. “I wasn’t worried at all to put him in. He took his responsibility, played well, he was calm, and it was a well-deserved clean sheet for him and the team.”

Jeremy Monga (15), Jake Evans (16) and Michael Golding (18) all played a role from the bench – another source of optimism for the Manager, who’s looking to the future.

“This was Jeremy’s fourth appearance,” he said. “You can see today his capability to beat players on the dribble. That was special.

“He showed that today more than he was able to do in the other games. That was exciting, he’s also growing in his role, getting used to this level.

“Jake had a longer run. He had a short spell in Brighton, where he made his debut, but today he had a good 10-15 minutes. For Michael, it was his debut, very short, but a proud moment for him.”

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