Leicester City linked with shock move for ex-England manager | OneFootball

Leicester are searching for a replacement to Martí Cifuentes

Leicester City are chasing the appointment of Gareth Southgate as their next manager.

According to FootballFanCast, the Foxes are keen on the former England manager as they seek a replacement for Martí Cifuentes.

The 55-year-old has been out of work since the conclusion of the European Championship in 2024.

The former Middlesbrough boss led England to the final in Germany, where the team lost 2-1 to Spain in their second defeat at that stage of the competition in a row.

Southgate’s last role in club management came at the Riverside, where he worked from 2006 to 2009 before departing just months after the Teesside outfit suffered relegation to the Championship.

Leicester City eye Gareth Southgate appointment

Leicester are keen on a deal to appoint Southgate as manager after the decision to part ways with Cifuentes earlier this month.

The Spaniard took charge in the summer, but an underwhelming campaign led to him departing following a 2-1 loss to Oxford United.

Southgate has emerged as a contender for the role, but they face competition from Crystal Palace in the race to appoint the 55-year-old.

It’s believed that the Eagles view the former England boss as a possible replacement for Oliver Glasner, who is set to depart at the end of the campaign.

Russell Martin is also understood to be on the Foxes’ radar amid their search for a new head coach.

Leicester have been docked six points by the EFL due to financial rule breaches, which has left them at risk of relegation to League One.

It remains to be seen whether Southgate could be convinced to make a return to management almost two years since his last fixture in charge.

The Foxes are currently 21st in the Championship table, level on points with 22nd place Blackburn Rovers, ahead of their clash with Southampton at 7.45pm this evening.

Gareth Southgate appointment would be risky

Southgate achieved a lot of success with England, and he would certainly be a big name appointment.

But he hasn’t worked at club level since 2009, and there is a big difference between national and club management these days.

The competition from Crystal Palace also shows that it won’t be straightforward in appointing Southgate, who may not even want to return to the club game either.

Given Leicester’s precarious position in the table, this has the potential to be a very risky pursuit, especially if they cannot convince Southgate to take charge and time is wasted that they can’t afford to throw away.