Next Leicester manager contenders: Who will replace Nigel Pearson?
Wednesday 1 July 2015 14:46, UK
We look at the contenders to be the next Leicester manager after the shock decision to sack Nigel Pearson.
The 51-year-old led the club to Premier League survival last season with 22 points collected from their last nine matches, but his success was overshadowed by a series of controversial incidents.
Certain Sky Bet punters seemed to know something was happening at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, as Pearson was backed at as short as 1/10 in the ‘Next Premier League manager to go’ market.
However, it appears to be a guessing game at this stage over Pearson’s replacement, with the next Leicester manager odds currently wide open.
The Bolton boss has attracted more of the early money than any other contender, backed in from 12/1 to 7/4 favourite at Sky Bet. Lennon ticks various boxes as a former Leicester player and a manager with plenty of success on his CV. The Northern Irishman led Celtic to three successive league triumphs during his time at Parkhead before transforming Bolton from the Sky Bet Championship’s bottom side to finishing 14th. However, Lennon has also been involved in his fair share of spats, including being sent to the stands in his first game in charge of the Trotters.
Big Sam might well be courting sympathy for Pearson, having also fallen out of favour with West Ham’s hierarchy despite meeting his objectives. In one of the worst kept secrets in football, the 60-year-old was not offered a renewal of his contract at the end of the season, parting ways with the club just minutes after their final game of the season. If the Foxes are looking for a man to sustain their Premier League status the Allardyce fits the bill, having never faced the drop in nearly a decade of top-flight management.
If it is experience that the Foxes are looking for then Hiddink is their man. The 68-year-old is available after stepping down from his position in charge of Holland’s national team after just a year in charge, having endured a difficult time with just four wins in 10. However, the big question is whether the Leicester board could attract a man who has Real Madrid, Chelsea and World Cup campaigns with three different nations on his CV.
The 34-year-old Argentine brought a wealth of experience to Leicester when he arrived on a one-year-deal, following a glittering 10-year spell at Inter Milan. However, he has no coaching experience and is contemplating what to do next season, with the Foxes reportedly having offered him a contract extension. There has also been suggestions that Cambiasso has been encouraged to do his coaching badges while at the club, but it amounts to little more than speculation over a candidate in the loosest of terms.
Other options
With the betting so wide open, there are plenty of other candidates considered, including Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill (6/1), Real Sociedad manager David Moyes (7/1), Republic of Ireland’s Martin O’Neill (14/1). Sean Dyche, who failed to save Burnley from relegation last season, was installed as the early favourite at 4/1 but has now drifted out to 14/1.
