As Brentford crushed the Foxes, Kevin Schade scored a hat-trick, highlighting the magnitude of the task facing new Leicester manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Ben Dawson is currently in charge of Leicester; the former Manchester United striker has not assumed the role. In the stands at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, the Dutchman sat next to owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and watched his new team overwhelmed, giving little indication that they possess the ability to escape danger.

Facundo Buonanotte’s goal in the 21st minute gave the Foxes the lead against the flow of play, and Schade’s double added to Yoane Wissa’s equaliser in the first half. Wissa and Schade started the score eight minutes after the dominating Bees had fallen behind 3-1 at the break.

Schade, who was also denied an early opener by a fantastic save by Mads Hermansen, added a third goal, which gave the Germany international his first goal of the season in first half stoppage time.

The incredibly versatile club led by Thomas Frank is now in eighth place in the Premier League, two points behind the top four, after winning four consecutive at home for the first time since 1937. When Nathan Collins’ ball divided the sluggish visitors and allowed Schade to complete his hat-trick after 59 minutes, Van Nistelrooy will not have been impressed because the Foxes are in stark contrast. Van Nistelrooy, who is one point above the relegation zone, will be in the dugout when Leicester hosts West Ham on Tuesday.

Steve Cooper was fired on Sunday, and the Foxes players needed a show after their Christmas party in Copenhagen last weekend was criticised.
They failed, and on Saturday, former PSV manager Van Nistelrooy will have witnessed enough to know what the Foxes are lacking. Following a lacklustre fifth loss in eight games, he must immediately make an impression.