Monday 27 February 2017 17:16, UK
Nigel Pearson is the only manager that can come in and make a difference at Leicester City, according to Paul Merson.
Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Leicester on Thursday night with the club lying 17th in the Premier League after winning the title last season.
The squad's senior players told the club's owners they were "unhappy" with Ranieri ahead of his dismissal, according to Sky sources.
Merson has called the behaviour of the players "disgusting" and believes former manager Pearson, who won promotion to the Premier League before being sacked despite keeping them up, is the only candidate that has the authority to make a difference at the club.
"For me, Nigel Pearson is the only one who can come in - they need someone who is going to get the players wound up again and make them frightened," Merson told Soccer Saturday.
"It's too easy, it's comfortable.
"I don't think it's a good job. You look at Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace, I think they've got better players than Leicester.
"The only man I think can come in and take this job is the man they sacked last time and that's Pearson.
"He's the only one who can come in and start getting these by the throat, up against the wall."
It is understood that Roberto Mancini has been "sounded out" by intermediaries representing the reigning Premier League champions, but the Italian currently has no desire to talk to Leicester about the vacant manager's job, according to Sky in Italy.
He’s the only one who can come in and start getting these by the throat, up against the wall.
Merson is not surprised the former Manchester City boss isn't interested in the job.
"Mancini's looked at it and he isn't silly." Merson said. "He's looked at it and he's gone: 'Woah, wait there a minute, this ain't great.'"
