Leicester City have reportedly suffered a blow in the pursuit of one of their top managerial targets.
They are searching for a permanent successor to former head coach Steve Cooper, who was sacked after just five months in charge of the club.
The final nail in the coffin of the Welshman arrived at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon, when Leicester lost 2-1 to Enzo Maresca's Chelsea.
Goals either side of the half-time whistle from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez won the day for the Blues, who remain third in the Premier League standings.
Leicester are without a victory in their last four top-flight matches and sit 16th in the table, one point above Ipswich Town in the highest of the relegation spots.
Leicester identify Van Nistelrooy as potential new manager?
According to The Independent, Leicester have identified Dutch legend Ruud van Nistelrooy as a possible replacement for Cooper in the East Midlands.
The report claims that the former striker impressed the Foxes' hierarchy during his brief spell as interim boss of Manchester United earlier in the campaign.
However, it is understood that Graham Potter is currently the preferred choice of Leicester to take charge of a side battling against relegation.
It is believed that it will take some serious persuading to convince the 49-year-old to join the Foxes following his spell at European giants Chelsea over a year ago.
Leicester were supposedly chasing the services of Potter in the summer, however the highly-regarded coach opted against a move to the King Power.
Leicester 'face German competition' for Van Nistelrooy
Whilst Van Nistelrooy might be a second choice for Leicester at this stage, that does not mean that the East Midlanders would be able to lure him to the club without a struggle.
Following his exit from Man United, Sky Sports News are reporting that German giants Hamburger SV are interested in bringing the Dutchman into their ranks.
Relegated from the top flight in 2018, Hamburg are fighting hard to escape the troubles of Bundesliga 2 and are now without a manager after sacking Steffen Baumgart.
