Ruud van Nistelrooy: Smiling Dutchman brings belief back to Leicester after West Ham win

His Leicester side had to ride their luck at times against West Ham, but victory for a smiling Ruud van Nistelrooy has already given Foxes fans their “belief” back.

The Dutchman was appointed on Friday to replace Steve Cooper, who was sacked after just 12 Premier League matches in charge of Leicester.

Van Nistelrooy watched his new side fall to a 4-1 thumping by Brentford alongside Leicester owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha from the stands on Sunday.

However, his first game in charge got off to the perfect start on Tuesday as Jamie Vardy’s early opener helped the Foxes on their way to a 3-1 win at King Power Stadium.

“In the end you look at the result and the three points, in the position that we are in, it’s vital,” Van Nistelrooy, 48, said.

“We know the level in the Premier League and we know every game we play that everything has to be right. We have to train and develop our defence, our counter attack, our possession.

“Lots of things to work on but very happy with the three points.”

The win moves Leicester up to 15th in the Premier League, two points behind the Hammers.

“The third day working at the club, it’s been very busy getting to know everyone. Everybody was involved with that and helping, it was busy and long days but worth it,” Van Nistelrooy said in a post-match news conference.

“I was focused on the moment and today I will get myself a little beer and reflect on the last three days.”

Graham Potter, the former Brighton and Chelsea boss, said it was the “perfect start” and means the supporters will have “that trust and belief in the new manager and that is so important”.

“You can do all the talking you want but if the players actually believe him and follow what he is saying then it can be very powerful,” he told Amazon Prime. “The best way to get belief is by winning football matches.”