James McCarron: managers, transfers and style behind Leicester City’s potential sporting director | OneFootball

James McCarron has emerged as Leicester City’s potential sporting director, reportedly set to take the role. The City Football Group executive would work alongside director of football Jon Rudkin. He previously held the sporting director job at Lommel.

At Lommel, who stayed in Belgium’s second tier throughout his tenure, progress led to the 2023-24 play-offs after missing automatic promotion by two points. They won a quarter-final and semi-final, then lost the final in extra time. Winter brought a 13-game winless run, including nine straight defeats, and an 11th-place finish before his summer move to CFG. According to Het Belang van Limburg, he had been under pressure for months and left after discussions between CFG and Lommel.

Although Lommel’s biggest sales were of pre-McCarron signings, notable profits followed. Vini Souza moved to Sheffield United for £10.5m in 2023 after a £2m fee three years earlier. That same summer, Manfred Ugalde joined Twente for £3.5m having cost £750k, and in 2022 McCarron set out plans to add more 25 to 30-year-olds.

He appointed English coaches with extensive experience. Former Arsenal assistant Steve Bould delivered that promotion near miss across two and a half years. After Bould’s departure early last year, Lee Johnson arrived and has Lommel in the play-off places this season.

McCarron has favoured a controlled style. That aligns with chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha’s preference, with a manager in the Enzo Maresca mould likely to be sought long term, while Gary Rowett is on a short-term deal.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk