Leicester City could miss out on leading managerial contender Russell Martin after it emerged that Burnley are also eyeing the former Southampton boss.
The Foxes were closing in on an agreement with the 40-year-old to lead them into their first-ever League One season, with the Telegraph reporting that the two parties were in advanced talks over the role.
Clarets Make Move
However, Leicester may be in trouble when it comes to securing their number one target, with Rudy Galetti reporting that Burnley are now enquiring about Martin’s services.
He has been without a role since his sacking by Rangers early into the Scottish Premiership season, with a disastrous tenure which saw the Ibrox club faltering in every domestic and European competition.
Burnley are on their own managerial search over the summer following Mike Jackson’s interim tenure seeing out the Premier League season, in which the Clarets were relegated by a 19-point margin.
Alan Nixon reported over the weekend that the Turf Moor side were currently handling a 10-man shortlist to take charge in Lancashire, with fellow ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard also in the frame.
Hake Twist Emerges
City may have already moved on from their intense pursuit of Martin, though, with reports in the Netherlands linking former Manchester United coach Rene Hake with the vacancy at the King Power Stadium.
AD.nl have reported in their Transfer rumour blog that Hake, who is the assistant manager at Feyenoord, is also under consideration in the East Midlands, with the Rotterdam club open to him leaving.
The Dutch giants pulled the trigger on manager and club legend Robin van Persie’s tenure in charge at De Kuip yesterday, finishing a distant second to PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie.
Hake has been in the picture to take over at other EFL clubs in the past, with January 2025 seeing him hold talks with West Bromwich Albion as a potential successor to Carlos Corberan.
Foxes Face Anxious Wait
Interest from elsewhere for Russell Martin will leave Leicester City at the mercy of whether Burnley press on and try and sign the 40-year-old to replace Scott Parker.
While his tenure at Rangers cannot be described as anything other than a disaster, Martin still has a strong reputation within the Championship, leading Southampton to the Premier League through the playoffs two years ago.
With Burnley still having a strong squad and the budget to mount another promotion push, Leicester are on terrible footing to beat the Clarets to sign their target man with their League One status and still some sense of financial uncertainty shrouding the club.
Ultimately, while Rene Hake is a reasonable alternative should they lose out, Martin is the ideal candidate and now have Leicester facing a tough few days as to whether they can strike an agreement with the former MK Dons boss.
