Leicester City are drawing up a list of potential managerial candidates as the pressure continues to mount on Russell Martin, according to reports.
The 40-year-old was chosen as the man to lead the Foxes out of League One at the first time of asking last summer, eight months after his disastrous spell at Scottish giants Rangers. However, he has endured a similarly dreadful time at the King Power Stadium to date, picking up just two league wins from his opening eight fixtures.
There was already pressure on the former Swansea City boss ahead of last weekend’s visit of Peterborough United. The Cambridgeshire-based outfit were full of confidence after appointing former Leicester midfielder Robbie Savage a week prior, and it was no surprise to see them grab all three points with a comfortable 3-1 win.
It was a result which left the 2016 Premier League champions just one point above the relegation places.
Leicester Ready To Act
Leicester return to action this weekend when they entertain Doncaster Rovers. Grant McCann’s side currently sit one place above their division rivals, with the two teams separated by just goal difference.
Therefore, this appears to be a make-or-break fixture for Martin. Another defeat would surely spell the end of his tenure in the East Midlands.
That’s the opinion of journalist Ben Jacobs, who claims that a change is looking more likely in the coming weeks. Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said:
“With Russell Martin it’s become toxic and my understanding is Leicester are considering a change.
“The defeat at the weekend has only piled on more pressure, the fans have turned against Russell Martin and Leicester are not where they want to be and, as a consequence, Leicester are succession-planning. Russell Martin on thin ice at Leicester City. He needs instant results otherwise the expectation is that Leicester will make a change and there’s already some people within Leicester according to my information that are pushing for a change now.”
Suprise Candidate Emerges
Unsurprisingly, a number of names have been linked with the managerial role at Leicester in the past few weeks. Names include ex-Stockport County boss Dave Challinor, whilst Scott Parker, who left Burnley earlier this year, has also been linked.
Rob Edwards is another name that has been on the radar following his harsh sacking at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jacobs confirmed the 43-year-old is a candidate, whilst also revealing that current Dunfermline Athletic head coach Neil Lennon is interested in the position:
“Neil Lennon is one candidate I’m told would be interested in the role, Rob Edwards is appreciated too.”
Lennon is a familiar figure to Leicester fans having made over 200 appearances for the club between 1996 and 2000. However, his managerial career has been primarily north of the border, with his only stint in England coming at Bolton Wanderers between 2014 and 2016.
The 55-year-old has enjoyed considerable success in Scotland though. He won 10 major honours over two stints with Celtic, including five Scottish Premiership titles, whilst he also won promotion from the Scottish Championship with Hibernian in 2017.
It may be a left-field choice, but it could be one that Leicester fans would welcome due to Lennon’s past with the club. It would be a huge risk though and other candidates may be more attractive to those making the decision.
