Leicester draw up three-man shortlist as axe looms on Ruud van Nistelrooy amid nightmare season that has seen Foxes relegated from the Premier League

• No decision has been made yet on the future of Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Leicester have been relegated with five Premier League games to spare 
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Ian Ladyman reveals his pick for best goalkeeper this season – and it’s NOT Alisson Becker

By TOM COLLOMOSSE

Leicester are actively considering replacements for Ruud van Nistelrooy as they seek to finalise a decision on who will lead their bid to win an instant return to the Premier League.

The Dutchman has overseen a disastrous run of results since replacing Steve Cooper last autumn, meaning the Foxes will play in the Championship next season. 

Though they have yet to make a final decision on Van Nistelrooy’s future, Mail Sport understands targets have already been sounded out by intermediaries, with Danny Rohl, Russell Martin and Lee Carsley among the names considered.

Mail Sport revealed last November that Sheffield Wednesday boss Rohl was a surprise name on the shortlist when Cooper was dismissed.

Though he was not deemed experienced enough at the time to take the reins, Leicester have been hugely impressed by the job the German has done at Wednesday.

He steered the club to safety last season in his first senior role – despite inheriting a team that looked certain to drop straight back into League One when he took over.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s future remains uncertain after Leicester City were relegated 

Danny Rohl has been on Leicester’s shortlist after impressing with Sheffield Wednesday

Replacing Steve Cooper with van Nistelrooy did not stop Leicester from being relegated 

This term, the 36-year-old has kept the Owls well clear of the lower reaches of the table.

The one snag for Leicester, who are in a difficult financial position, is that Rohl has a significant compensation clause in his contract, unlike Martin. 

But he is known to have impressed Foxes recruitment chief Martyn Glover when both were working at Southampton.

After such an embarrassing season, there is expected to be a reworking of Leicester’s structure, which may see Glover taking a more central role. 

Until now Jon Rudkin, a firm ally of chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, has been an all-powerful director of football but has been targeted this season by angry supporters, who blame him for Leicester’s slump.

Asked about his future ahead of Saturday’s clash with Southampton, Van Nistelrooy said: ‘I’ve said many times before I’ve been proactive in conversations in February, March and April with the board and chairman. 

‘They know where I stand and I’m looking for alignment. Moving forward you have to be aligned. 

‘That intention is there 100 per cent. We are all hoping to find out soon. 

‘The quicker the better, it’s in the best interest of the club. 

‘But no news so far.’

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Leicester draw up three-man shortlist as axe looms on Ruud van Nistelrooy amid nightmare season that has seen Foxes relegated from the Premier League

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