Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has shed light on his recent discussion with Ruud van Nistelrooy before the Dutchman accepted the managerial role at Leicester City.

Van Nistelrooy, who recently stepped down as interim manager at Manchester United, reached out to Maresca for insights on the club. Maresca, who guided Leicester to Premier League promotion last season, had glowing remarks about the team and its environment.

During Chelsea’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of their Premier League clash with Southampton, Maresca shared details of their conversation.

“He called me days ago before he took over there,” Maresca said. “We had a conversation. I told him Leicester is a fantastic club, great people. In the end, he decided to go.”

Van Nistelrooy officially took charge of Leicester City shortly after, marking a new chapter in his managerial career.

What Do You Think? Can Van Nistelrooy Succeed at Leicester?

With glowing endorsements from a former Leicester manager like Maresca, Ruud van Nistelrooy is stepping into a club with high expectations. However, his transition to managing a Premier League team will undoubtedly come with challenges.

• Do you think Van Nistelrooy has what it takes to succeed at Leicester City?

• How important is it for new managers to seek advice from their predecessors before taking on a role?

• What should Leicester fans expect from a coach with Van Nistelrooy’s experience as a player and interim manager?

Let us know your thoughts—do you see Van Nistelrooy thriving in his new role, or will the pressures of the Premier League prove too steep?