Guus Hiddink and Jurgen Klopp among names in Leicester City frame
Thursday 9 July 2015 09:58, UK
Leicester have been linked with a series of high-profile managers following the sacking of Nigel Pearson, from serial World Cup campaigners to Champions League winners.
We take a look at the big names connected to the vacancy at the King Power Stadium, according to Sky Bet’s odds on the next Leicester manager.
The Dutchman is certainly considered a realistic target according the odds as one of the current favourite, albeit in a wide-open market. Hiddink is out of work after leaving his role as Netherlands national manager, deciding to step down after a disappointing 10-month spell in which he oversaw just four victories in 10 matches. However, the 68-year-old’s CV is still one of the most impressive out there, having managed at three different World Cups and secured silverware with PSV, Real Madrid and, most recently, Chelsea.
Another former Chelsea manager with an abundance of experience, Ranieri is also available after he left his position in charge of the Greece national team last year. The Italian has held posts with 11 different clubs, including two stints at Valencia and seven in his native country. At 62, could 'The Tinkerman' be keen for another crack at the Premier League?
Klopp's long-held aspiration of becoming a Premier League boss looks set to be realised sooner rather than later after he called time on his seven-year stint at Borussia Dortmund. However, having previously been linked to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, will a club looking to establish themselves after narrowly avoiding relegation attract his interest? Sky Bet have reported plenty of interest, but his odds suggest that it may have been from the hopeful fans who voted him as the top pick in a local media poll.
The Italian's managerial experience may be briefer than those aforementioned but he's certainly had his fair share of success already. Having guided West Brom to promotion, Di Matteo led his former club Chelsea to a FA Cup and Champions League double triumph. The 45-year-old took some time away from the game after leaving Chelsea before returning to management with Schalke last September. After just nine months the former midfielder resigned from the Veltins Arena post, having failed to guide them back into the Champions League. He did, however, oversee a remarkable 4-3 win at the Bernabeu as Schalke came agonisingly close to ousting the then reigning champions.
Other options
Having attracted the majority of the early money, Bolton boss Neil Lennon sits second in the betting at 7/2, with only current Sacremento manager Predrag Radosavljevic currently shorter odds, having emerged as a surprise favourite on Wednesday. Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill is considered 10/1 chance of along with Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill (7/1). Other longer-priced options are Kevin Phillips, Jurgen Klinsmann, Harry Redknapp, Esteban Cambiasso, David Moyes, Sean Dyche and Sam Allardyce, each at odds of 25/1.
