Leicester City looks likely to be relegated in what will be a sad moment for football. Just a couple of seasons after they won the FA Cup and, of course, still reminiscing the monumental title charge under Claudio Ranieri, things have looked bleak this season at the King Power Stadium.
They sacked Brendan Rodgers earlier this season in a decision that looks awful in hindsight. Poor club ownership is what has let the club down this season, despite their immensely talented squad and loyal fanbase.
Now, Dean Smith must manage his side to a perfect end of the season, starting tonight against Newcastle United. Even if they somehow avoid relegation, though, it’s pretty much confirmed that Dean Smith will be given the boot.
According to Football Insider, Leicester plan to react by making a big managerial appointment. The report claims that The Foxes want to approach the former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter about managing in the Midlands.
Potter is set to receive a plethora of offers from England and Europe this summer after his short break from management. For context, he’s been out of action since he was given the boot by the Chelsea board just a few hours after Leicester had sacked Rodgers.
People will be quick to retort that Graham Potter would never manage in the Championship, but they’re mistaken. We must bear in mind that the foundation on which Potter’s career sits is that he began his managerial career in the fourth tier of Swedish football, where within eight years he took Ostersunds all the way to the top flight and even defeated Arsenal in the Europa League.
Potter loves a challenge. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for him at Chelsea but that club is toxic all the way to the roots so it’s no surprise.
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LEICESTER COULD REPLACE DEAN SMITH WITH AN ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ TITLE-WINNING MANAGER
Relegation-threatened Leicester City’s pursuit of a new manager could lead them to Steven Schumacher with the Plymouth Argyle boss labeled ‘unbelievable’ after securing the League One title.
If this season has taught us anything, it’s that even an ‘interim’ head coach is not safe from the sack.
Cristian Stellini was given the boot by Spurs, Javi Gracia suffered the same fate at Leeds United and, if Dean Smith had been hired earlier in the campaign, perhaps he too would be fearing for his job as Leicester City plummet headfirst towards the dreaded Championship.
The Foxes cannot be relegated with a defeat at Newcastle United tonight. Not officially anyway. But they’ll be as good as. Lose for the 23rd time this season alone on Tyneside, and Everton will only need a point at home to Bournemouth next weekend to send Leicester down.
Will Steven Schumacher be Leicester City’s next manager?
The short-term appointment of 52-year-old Smith as Brendan Rodgers’ replacement, meanwhile, has backfired. Smith has just one win from six games. And while his excellent track record in the Championship may be an argument to keep him on for 2023/24, talkSPORT believes that replacement is already being sought.
Schumacher, who guided Plymouth to the League One title and back into the second tier after over a decade away, is reportedly one of the early frontrunners.
‘Legend’
“He’s unbelievable,” Bali Mumba, one of Plymouth’s star performers during an outstanding campaign, tells the Argyle website.
“Legend. Just simple as that. Great guy, easy to get along with. I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve done so well when you’ve got a gaffer that is so chilled and laid back.
“When it’s time to work, it’s time to work. But when he’s got so much confidence in you and puts his faith in you, the only way you are going to pay it back is by putting in performances.
“It’s a great changing room. It’s the best I’ve been in. I’m not just saying that. Everyone gets along with everyone. The senior boys get along with the younger lads. It’s just such a great bunch and the bond we have is unbreakable. That’s why we’ve stuck together this season and got where we are.”
Schumacher’s ability to get a side pulling in the same direction – coaxing the very best out of the talent at his disposal while instilling an attractive, proactive style of play – will be just some of the reasons why Leicester may be willing to take a punt on a 39-year-old who has just one full season of senior managerial experience under his belt.
Fellow 30-something Russell Martin is another candidate (talkSPORT). Martin is expected to leave Swansea City for Southampton instead, however.
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