Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals key factor that could keep Harry Winks at Leicester City | OneFootball

Don Goodman believes that Winks' future could depend on who is in the Leicester City dugout next season.

Leicester City midfielder Harry Winks has endured a difficult season both on and off the pitch.

The Foxes have suffered an immediate return to the Championship following an underwhelming campaign in the top flight, and things went from bad to worse for Winks when he had an alleged dispute with Ruud van Nistelrooy over his daily commute earlier this month.

The Dutchman was said to be unhappy with the amount of time the 29-year-old spent travelling, and wanted him to stay at the club's training base overnight once a week so he would be better prepared for games.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man, who signed for Leicester in a deal worth around £10 million in 2023, was banished from the squad after refusing to adhere to van Nistelrooy's request, so he has not featured in any of the last five matchday squads.

It is believed that Winks insisted on making the 100-mile daily commute so he could spend time with his partner and young daughter at home.

Don Goodman weighs in on Leicester, Winks situation

Sky Sports pundit, Don Goodman, spoke exclusively to Football League World about the prospect of Winks' leaving the King Power Stadium this summer now that he has been banished from the squad.

"Harry Winks - I mean, it has been a disappointing season and a bit of a controversial ending for him in terms of his fallout with Ruud van Nistelrooy," Goodman said.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy is highly unlikely, I would think, to be the manager of Leicester City in the Championship next season.

"Maybe a fresh start, maybe a new head coach with new ideas, could tempt Harry Winks to remain.

"Having said all of that, if his fallout was with more than just Ruud van Nistelrooy - if it was with the board, or whatnot - then there would possibly be a parting of the ways.

"We mostly wait to see who will be the manager of Leicester City next season."

Leicester may want Winks next season

Depending on whether Winks' issue was solely with van Nistelrooy or if it also involved any of the club's hierarchy, Leicester may want to keep hold of Winks as they prepare to return to the Championship next season.

The midfielder made 45 appearances in the second tier as the Foxes won the title last season, with his ability to dictate the tempo from the base of midfield proving to be valuable under Enzo Maresca.

It seems likely that van Nistelrooy will be replaced ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, so Winks may well stay at the club if a new head coach comes in and includes him in their plans, but it remains to be seen whether the recent situation will have been enough to prompt a summer exit regardless of who is in the dugout next term.

There is also every chance that Winks will be keen on joining a club that is closer to his family home, and with only one year remaining on his contract at Leicester, he could force the club's hand if they do not want to lose him for nothing in 2026.

It will certainly be interesting to see what the short-term future holds for Winks at Leicester, but the deciding factor in whether he stays could well be who is managing the Foxes next season.