Leicester looking for short-term manager to keep them in top flight
Jesse Marsch is unlikely to take over at Leicester after doubts emerged over the 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 up
- Jesse Marsch appeared close to being chosen but that is unlikely to happen
- Dean Smith, Martin O’Neill and Rafael Benitez are all potential options
Leicester have set their sights on a short-term manager to save their Premier League status before looking for a permanent solution in the summer.
After holding talks with a host of candidates, the Foxes have decided a new boss should have a remit that lasts only until the end of the campaign.
Though Jesse Marsch appeared the front runner for the job on Saturday, doubts emerged about the strength of the former Leeds’ boss candidacy late that night, and it is now debatable whether he was ever the leading contender.
Former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is believed to have held talks with club chiefs, while Martin O’Neill – one of the club’s greatest managers – has been discussed along with Rafael Benitez.
Leicester are seeking a manager to revive a squad whose confidence is on the floor. Saturday’s damaging home defeat by fellow strugglers Bournemouth left Leicester two points adrift of safety, and their next match is at Manchester City on April 15.
Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is believed to have held talks with Leicester
Jesse Marsch appeared to be the front runner for the job but he hasn’t been appointed
Graham Potter is the club’s preferred choice to succeed Brendan Rodgers long-term but the former Chelsea boss is highly unlikely to return to work this season.
If Smith were appointed, he would likely bring Craig Shakespeare with him. Shakespeare played a key role as part of Claudio Ranieri’s staff when 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 the defeats by Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Martin O’Neill, one of Leicester’s greatest ever managers, is also under consideration
Former Everton and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is another possible candidate for Leicester
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