Leicester City eyeing ex-Man United coach as manager search takes fresh twist | OneFootball

Leicester's search for a new manager ahead of their League One return may see them look at Rene Hake

Leicester City's search for a new manager ahead of just their second ever campaign in the third tier may undergo yet another turn, as a recent sacking has opened the door for a potential new name to be added to the mix.

The Foxes suffered consecutive relegations from the Premier League to League One over the last two seasons, and will be looking to rebuild to ensure that their stay in the third tier is as short as possible.

Alongside numerous players with a top-flight pedigree who will likely need to be replaced, a new manager needs to be hired, too, after Gary Rowett was let go following his short-term deal ending at the culmination of the 2025/26 campaign.

All signs seemed to be pointing at Russell Martin, who was reported to be in "advanced talks" with Leicester on Saturday.

The former Southampton promotion-winning boss was linked with the Foxes this time last year, too, ahead of their Championship return. He instead moved north of the border to SPL giants Rangers, but was sacked after just 17 games in the Ibrox dugout.

But, a move to the King Power this time round to try and oversee an immediate promotion back into the second-tier may be put on the back burner, with former Feyenoord assistant manager Rene Hake now in the conversation.

Leicester City "seriously considering" Rene Hake as new manager

Action Images

According to AD.NL, Rene Hake is being "seriously considered" by Leicester, after it looks like he'll be out of a job, following Robin van Persie's sacking at Feyenoord.

The 54-year-old worked as van Persie's assistant for the past 16 months, helping the Eredivisie side to a second-placed finish and European qualification this past season.

However, following a personnel reshuffle at the top end of the club, with Devy Riguax appointed as the new technical director and Robert Eenhoorn appointed general manager, Feyenoord have opted to go a different direction in the dugout.

Hake is also set to leave the Dutch side and will be considered alongside Martin for the Leicester job this summer.

The 54-year-old has yet to be the main head coach in England, but did spend some time assisting Erik ten Hag at Manchester United in the 2024/25 campaign, and parted ways with the Red Devils when Ruben Amorim was hired just three months later.

Rene Hake's managerial experience in the Netherlands amid Leicester City links

Action Images

Despite a lack of experience as the main man in the dugout in England, Hake still has plenty of games behind him managing in the Eredivisie.

More recently, he managed Go Ahead Eagles for a couple of seasons between 2022 and 2024, but he has also spent time in the dugouts at Utrecht, Twente, Cambuur and Emmen.

Evidently, Martin would be a safer option, given his track record in England, especially with Southampton, whom he helped get promoted from the second tier back in the 2023/24 campaign.

The 40-year-old hasn't managed below the Championship since his early days at MK Dons before his move to Swansea City in 2021, and with a good team at his disposal relative to the league he's in, as he had at St Mary's, Leicester would be strong favourites to bounce back.

However, Hake has a relatively unknown quantity about him, and there's a high potential that his managerial philosophy is way above the level required in League One, which could lead the Foxes to be a really dangerous, exciting side going forward.

Time will tell as to who the higher-ups at the King Power Stadium opt for, but it doesn't seem that Martin is as nailed on as he may have been towards the end of last week.