As revealed earlier today, Leicester City are moving closer to appointing a new manager. Reports revealed that interviews have taken place with the likes of Gary O’Neil and Chris Wilder over the past week. However, it now looks like the former Wolves coach is the club’s first choice.
Gary O’Neil Identified as Front Runner for Leicester City’s Next Manager
Former Premier League Manager Becomes Favourite
As reported by Rob Dorsett, O’Neil is now the front-runner to become Leicester City head coach. The 42-year-old became unemployed back in December after keeping both Bournemouth and Wolves out of the relegation zone in consecutive seasons.
Read More: Leicester City Ramp Up Search for New Manager with Former Premier League Duo Interviewed
Dorsett also adds that both Danny Rohl and Sean Dyche are out of the picture, despite the previous links. In the case of the German, it is too complex, which is likely due to the compensation package and the issues at Sheffield Wednesday, whereas Dyche has distanced himself from the opening.
Wilder is also still in the running at this stage as the club is still progressing with the search. The 57-year-old led Sheffield United to relegation and failed to earn promotion with the club last season. This led to his departure as the Blades replaced him with Ruben Selles.
How Does This Affect Leicester City
To much of the frustration of the fanbase, the appointment of either Wilder or O’Neil looks more and more likely. Many would argue this suggests a lack of ambition from the club’s hierarchy, who have faced continuous criticism for the decline of the football club.
Furthermore, targeting two managers out of work could also suggest further financial issues within the club. This summer alone, there has been talk about King Power struggling with profitability due to its operations in Thailand. Therefore, there may also be cash-flow problems as opposed to Financial Fair Play issues. This is likely to be a reason why Danny Rohl is now out of the picture.
Moreover, the duo also belong to the agency ‘Wasserman’, which has deep ties with the Foxes. Several players, including Jamie Vardy, Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury Hall, are all represented by the agency which clearly has a strong connection with the club. As a result, this further suggests the club are playing it safe with their choices, despite risks being necessary if they want to return to the top flight.
