Exclusive: Lee Hendrie issues warning to Leicester City over ex-Burnley and Everton manager | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie believes the former Everton and Burnley boss could succeed with the Foxes despite stylistic differences

As Leicester City prepare for a pivotal summer of change, the managerial vacancy at the King Power Stadium has quickly become one of the most talked-about topics in the Championship.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy’s position uncertain following an underwhelming campaign, the club faces a critical decision: stick with a project that hasn’t fully ignited, or look elsewhere for a fresh start with promotion the immediate aim.

Among the names now in the frame is Sean Dyche. Reports from The Sun have linked the former Burnley and Everton manager to the role, with his reputation for organisation, resilience, and no-nonsense leadership making him an appealing option to the Leicester hierarchy.

Known for dragging teams out of trouble and instilling a competitive edge, Dyche could represent a shift towards pragmatism after several years of more idealistic, possession-focused football.

For some, Dyche’s style feels at odds with the identity Leicester have been trying to build. For others, he’s exactly what they need.

Sean Dyche could be a smart appointment for Leicester City despite concerns about his style

Former Premier League midfielder Lee Hendrie has spoken exclusively to Football League World to weigh in on the debate as to whether Dyche would be a good appointment for the Championship-bound Foxes, and he's urged the club to be careful as it may mean going away from their style that has been created over the last few years.

“Dyche is obviously the leading contender to take the Leicester job, would he be a good appointment to take the job for the Foxes? I think this is a tough one” Hendrie told FLW.

“You look at the way Leicester have liked to play over seasons and you look back to Maresca for sure, and obviously Ruud who’s come in and tried to play a similar brand of football - I think you’re flipping the coin and going the other way, and you need to be relatively careful what you do.

“And that’s no disrespect to Sean Dyche, he plays a different way and a different style of football. The job he did at Everton was brilliant, so no wonder that he’s been linked with the Leicester job, because he’s a big manager, he understands the league, he’s got promotions under his belt, and I think he’s adaptable, I really do. I think he adapted with the squad he had at Everton.

“I think the one thing you know you’re getting with Dychey is that you know he’ll drive a team forward and that’s probably what it needs, stripping back and having someone who’s going to really give them a good drive and something to go at.

“Dychey definitely does tick the box for that. It’s no wonder that he’s a leading contender there, because he knows the Championship and the players that will go, and the players that will come in - it gives them a good opportunity to stabilise where they’re at, and have a go at being promoted again, so I don’t think it’s a bad call whatsoever.”

Sean Dyche represents dependability - a coach who knows how to navigate the intensity of the Championship and deliver results under pressure.

His experience at Burnley and Everton proves he can work within limitations, adapt to different squads, and create a side with purpose and resilience.

However, Dyche’s appointment would mark a significant departure from Leicester’s recent footballing identity.

Under Enzo Maresca, and to a lesser extent Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Foxes have favoured a more possession-heavy, progressive approach.

Dyche, by contrast, builds from the basics - discipline, structure, and physicality - which might not sit easily with fans hoping for more expansive or long-term thinking.

Ultimately, the question for Leicester is not just about who can get them promoted, but how they want to do it. Dyche might tick the boxes for short-term stability, but the board must weigh that against the club’s broader ambitions. In choosing their next manager, they’ll be defining their footballing identity - not just for next season, but for years to come.