Ruud van Nistelrooy pays tribute to 'irreplaceable' Jamie Vardy

Liam Williams Updated: 25 Apr 25 11:16

Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has paid tribute to Jamie Vardy after the striker announced he’d be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Vardy posted a farewell message on social media on Thursday, saying he was ‘devastated’ to be leaving, but felt that ‘the timing is right’.

Following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, Vardy issued an apology to the fans admitting the campaign had been ‘nothing but miserable’ and that he was personally embarrassed with the Foxes relegated having won just four of their 33 games, with Vardy finding the net seven times.

It’s a sour note for the Leicester legend to end his time at the King Power Stadium on, having won the Premier League and FA Cup, as well as reaching a UEFA Champions League quarter-final and breaking Van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games.

The man whose record he broke said the legacy Vardy has left makes him irreplaceable at the club.

“The manager that brought him in at the time, of course you can't imagine that player will have the impact on the football club that he had,” said Van Nistelrooy.

“Of course, he's not replaceable. You cannot replace this. That much legacy, we cannot ask it for a player. But a good striker will do.”

The Foxes will indeed be in the market for a new striker, while Vardy, despite turning 38 earlier this year, is in the market for a new employer.

Vardy insists he’s not hanging his boots up, prompting plenty of speculation about where he might play next.

One potential hurdle regarding Vardy staying in England is his wages. According to Capology, Vardy earns £140,000 a week and he’d need to take a sizeable pay cut if he was to play for a Championship club.

At 38, Vardy is extremely unlikely to remain in the Premier League, but Wrexham would likely jump at the chance to have someone of Vardy’s profile at the Racecourse Ground should they go up from League One.

Sheffield Wednesday is a potential destination for the boyhood Owls fan, though moves outside of England seem more likely.

Rangers are thought to be close to being taken over by 49ers Enterprises, who own Leeds United, and Vardy would represent a marquee signing for the new owners.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have also been touted as potential destinations, though no specific clubs are linked.