Leicester looking for short-term manager to keep them in the Premier League
Jesse Marsch is unlikely to take over at Leicester after doubts were raised over former Leeds boss – with ex-Norwich boss Dean Smith holding talks as the Foxes eye a short-term coach to save them from relegation
- Leicester are eager to appoint a short-term manager to help them stay afloat
- Jesse Marsch almost seemed to get elected, but that probably won’t happen
- Dean Smith, Martin O’Neill and Rafael Benitez are all possible options
Leicester have set their sights on a short-term manager to salvage their Premier League status before looking for a permanent solution in the summer.
After conducting interviews with a large number of candidates, the Foxes have decided that a new boss should be given an assignment that only lasts until the end of the campaign.
While Jesse Marsch appeared to be the front-runner for the job on Saturday, doubts arose late in the evening over the strength of the former Leeds boss’s candidacy, and it is now questionable whether he was ever the main contender.
Former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is said to have held talks with club chiefs, while Martin O’Neill – one of the club’s leading managers – has been discussed with Rafael Benitez.
Leicester are looking for a manager to reinvigorate a side whose confidence is on the floor. Saturday’s crushing home defeat to fellow contenders Bournemouth left Leicester two points behind in safety, and their next game is at Manchester City on April 15.
Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is said to have held talks with Leicester
Jesse Marsch appeared to be the front-runner for the job, but he was not hired
Graham Potter is the club’s preferred choice to succeed Brendan Rodgers on a long-term basis, but the former Chelsea boss is very unlikely to return to work this season.
If Smith was appointed, he would probably bring Craig Shakespeare with him. Shakespeare played a key role as part of Claudio Ranieri’s staff as Leicester won the title in 2016 and as manager led the club to a Champions League quarter-final the following season.
Since Rodgers was sacked the day after Leicester’s 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on April 1, caretakers Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell have overseen defeats to Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Martin O’Neill, one of Leicester’s greatest ever managers, is also being considered
Former Everton and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is another possible candidate for Leicester