The mood around the King Power Stadium under Ruud van Nistelrooy is depressing, but when Enzo Maresca was in charge, the feeling at Leicester City was completely different.
Leicester City returned to the Premier League in style last year as the Foxes cantered to the Championship title.
Enzo Maresca inspired his side to glory, creating a watertight defence and a devastating attack, led by the irrepressible Jamie Vardy.
Supporters would have enjoyed their side winning most weeks, as currently, they’re carrying a losing mentality with Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 29 | 7 | 5 | 17 | 40 | 58 | -18 | 26 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 29 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 28 | 62 | -34 | 17 |
| 19 |  LeicesterLeicester | 29 | 4 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 65 | -40 | 17 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 29 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 21 | 70 | -49 | 9 |
A rift has also been created between Van Nistelrooy and the players, with it becoming clear they’re no longer playing for the Dutchman. This was the complete opposite under Maresca, who created an unbreakable bond with his squad.
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The ‘best present’ Enzo Maresca received after Championship title win
The pressure was on last season for the Italian to deliver promotion back to the Premier League with a stacked squad of players on huge wages.
But their return to the top-flight rarely ever looked in doubt, as the 45-year-old created a winning formula at the King Power Stadium and an untouchable mentality.
Leicester’s promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed at the end of April when Leeds lost against QPR. The players could have gone anywhere to celebrate, yet they chose to turn up to Maresca’s house uninvited.
Speaking in November 2024, the Italian described it as the ‘best present’ he received that season, telling of how highly he thought of the players.
“It was probably the best present I got last season when we were promoted and at around two o’clock in the morning all the team arrived at my house,” Maresca said via the Guardian.
“I was watching the Leeds game and when it finished all the staff arrived. And then later, very late, the players arrived. They could be in different places to celebrate but they decided to come to my home. When I was a player I was lucky to win things but I never thought to go to the manager’s house.”
Maresca still keeps in touch with the Leicester players even now, and that just proves that the squad will always have a special place in his heart.
Ruud van Nistelrooy needs to take some notes from Maresca
The class and managerial qualities of Maresca landed him a move to Chelsea in the summer, leaving supporters feeling sad about his departure.
He also had a brilliant connection with the football club, which is something Van Nistelrooy is missing at Leicester.
In the loss to West Ham, Jannik Vestergaard refused to shake Van Nistelrooy’s hand and following the defeat against Man United, he threw one of his players under the bus.
Van Nistelrooy blamed Wout Faes for Rasmus Hojlund’s goal and that would have surely left the Belgian feeling disheartened.
The Dutchman certainly needs to take some lessons in class from Maresca, who was always liked by the players.