Leicester news: ‘It’s pure passion’ – Van Nistelrooy on fan protests

Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy believes fans are showing “pure passion” amid recent protests.

A section of supporters held a protest march against the Foxes’ hierarchy before the recent home defeat by Arsenal.

Director of football Jon Rudkin has come under increasing pressure from fans with the club sitting second from bottom in the table after winning only four of their 25 Premier League games this season.

Foxes chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha called for fans to unite behind the team in his programme notes before the game against the Gunners, but Van Nistelrooy does not feel the protests impacted the team and believes there is still enough support for his players.

“I do. I think it’s pure passion what you see around you,” the Dutchman said before Friday’s home game against Brentford.

“Passion for the football club to do better and that is a great thing to see and to feel and to represent that.

“I feel in the Arsenal game we were supported really well. I didn’t hear any negativity. The fans were all behind the team.

“We all suffered, off and on the pitch with those late goals. The protest, I haven’t really seen that because we were already in the stadium preparing for the game.

“So the supporters did that separate from us. So that helped. We were focusing on the game and when we went out there was nothing visible about that and that felt like great support.”