Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has expressed heartfelt admiration for the legendary Sir Bobby Robson as his team prepares to face Newcastle United on Saturday. Van Nistelrooy, who played under Robson during his time at PSV Eindhoven, shared warm memories of the iconic coach, who is immortalized with a statue outside St. James’ Park.
Reflecting on Robson’s influence, Van Nistelrooy said, “The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Newcastle is Sir Bobby Robson. Leading up to this game, my thoughts turned to the year I spent with him at PSV. He was an incredible person, and remembering him always brings a smile to my face.”
The former Manchester United striker also recalled Robson’s unwavering commitment to football and his unique approach to team management. “Football was always about improvement and striving to be better. He would emphasize teamwork and the essence of being united as a group,” Van Nistelrooy explained. “His sense of humor was remarkable, and he used it to inspire and motivate us. It was amazing to witness his blend of fight, spirit, and emotion, all while pushing us to be the best versions of ourselves.”
Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City has shown promise under his leadership since he replaced Steve Cooper as manager last month. In his first two matches, Leicester secured a 3-1 victory over West Ham and a 2-2 draw with Brighton, moving five points clear of the relegation zone. Despite Newcastle’s recent struggles, with no wins in their last four games and only six points ahead of Leicester, Van Nistelrooy remains cautious about underestimating their capabilities.
“Newcastle’s recent results don’t reflect their true quality,” he acknowledged. “I’ve spent all my time focusing on my team, but I’m well aware of Newcastle’s potential. They have an excellent squad, and we’ll need to be at our absolute best to get a good result.”
The Leicester boss highlighted Newcastle’s offensive threats and midfield strength as key areas to watch. “With players like Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon up front, combined with the power of Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães in midfield, they’re a formidable side. Their depth and options make them a challenging opponent, but this is also a great chance for us to continue growing as a team.”
As Van Nistelrooy prepares for his third game in charge, he will hope to extend his unbeaten run and honor the memory of Sir Bobby Robson with a strong performance against the club that holds such a significant connection to the legendary manager.
