Ruud van Nistelrooy arrived at the Vitality Stadium alongside Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha ahead of Saturday’s game against Brentford.
Van Nistelrooy and Srivaddhanaprabha later sat next to each other in the directors box.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy had been announced as Leicester’s new manager less than 24 hours earlier.
Consequently, it was decided that Saturday’s game would come too soon for him to take charge, so first team coach Ben Dawson was given the responsibility of leading the Foxes.
Van Nistelrooy posed for multiple photos with fans on his way into the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Dutchman also spoke to Sky Sports before entering the ground. He said: ‘[I’m feeling] very good. Very good, very excited, very happy and I can’t wait to start.’
New manager Ruud van Nistelrooy (centre) walked into the GTech Community Stadium alongside Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (left) on Saturday
Van Nistelrooy had been appointed as Leicester’s new manager less than 24 hours earlier
Dutchman Van Nistelrooy posed for multiple photos with fans before entering the stadium
Asked if staying in the Premier League was going to be his main ambition this season, he replied: ‘Yeah, of course.
‘[The aim is to] get the maximum out of the squad, out of the players and as a whole. Obviously, the target is clear and we all know that.
‘I can’t wait to start.’
Van Nistelrooy’s first game in the Leicester dugout will be on Tuesday night when West Ham United visit the King Power Stadium.
That will be Van Nistelrooy’s third Premier League game as a manager after he oversaw two matches while in interim charge of Man United earlier this month.
One of those games was a 3-0 win over Leicester, after he had also overseen a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Van Nistelrooy also led United to a 5-2 victory over Leicester in the Carabao Cup at the end of October.
But despite his impressive run of results, Van Nistelrooy was overlooked in favour of Bruno Amorim when United named their new permanent boss.
Van Nistelrooy sat next to Srivaddhanaprabha before and during Saturday’s game in London
New Leicester manager Van Nistelrooy pictured smiling during the first half of the match
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Speaking on Friday after being appointed by Leicester, Van Nistelrooy said: ‘Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic.
‘They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the Club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the Club is impressive. I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the Football Club.’
Chairman Srivaddhanaprabha added: ‘It is my pleasure to welcome Ruud to Leicester City. He joins a Club with a rich history, passionate supporters, and a talented squad, and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together.
‘Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us, and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our Club.’
Van Nistelrooy would have been liking what he was seeing after Facundo Buonanotte fired the Foxes ahead in the 21st minute on Saturday.
But a swift turnaround with goals from Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade saw Brentford lead 2-1 by the half-hour mark.
Schade then netted twice more to complete a hat-trick as Brentford registered an emphatic 4-1 win.
