Ruud Van Nistelrooy has credited his “great friend” Enzo Maresca for influencing his decision to take up Leicester City job.
The Dutchman revealed that Maresca, now Chelsea’s head coach, gave glowing reviews of the club when approached for advice.
Van Nistelrooy, speaking at his first press conference as Leicester’s coach, explained how his conversations with Maresca helped his decision.
“When the approach came, I had a lot of questions about the club, players, facilities, and the setup,” he said.
“Enzo was the first person I called. He gave me invaluable insights, and his positivity about Leicester made a big impact.”
Maresca managed Leicester last season, guiding the club to a direct promotion back to the Premier League, an achievement that earned him a high-profile move to Chelsea.
Van Nistelrooy shared how their bond, forged during their time as teammates at Malaga in the 2011/12 season, made Maresca’s perspective particularly trustworthy.
The pair also crossed paths on opposite benches in November during a Premier League match between Maresca’s Chelsea and Van Nistelrooy’s interim Manchester United, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Van Nistelrooy expressed confidence in his decision, citing his early impressions of the King Power Stadium and its setup.
“Everything Enzo mentioned has been spot-on so far,” he noted.
