Leicester City in ‘advanced talks’ to finally name new head coach | OneFootball

Russell Martin has emerged as the number one target for Leicester City as they look to name their new boss.

Leicester City are preparing for a major rebuild after successive relegations, which means they will be playing in League One next season.

It has been an embarrassing fall from grace for the 2016 Premier League champions, with fans understandably livid at the way the club have been operating in recent years.

Owner Khun Top and Chief Football Officer Jon Rudkin have taken the most criticism for the Foxes’ demise, so the pressure is on the hierarchy to get key decisions right this summer.

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The major call has been who to appoint as head coach, with Gary Rowett leaving the club following Leicester’s relegation, after the former player had succeeded Marti Cifuentes for the final part of the campaign.

Russell Martin is Leicester City’s top managerial target

Since Rowett’s exit, the club have conducted a thorough process to identify a new boss, and a host of names have been linked with the vacancy.

However, it seems Leicester have now made progress on that front, as Telegraph reporter John Percy has revealed that Russell Martin is the top target for the East Midlands outfit.

He states that the ex-Rangers chief is in ‘advanced talks’ with the Foxes, and whilst an agreement has not been reached yet, Martin is said to be ‘seriously considering’ taking over at the King Power Stadium.

The 40-year-old has been out-of-work since he was dismissed by the Glasgow outfit back in October, after a disastrous side in the Scottish Premiership.

Prior to that, Martin had developed a promising reputation as a head coach, having won promotion to the Premier League with Southampton, whilst he had also impressed at MK Dons and Swansea.

Martin’s style of play has been divisive in the football world, and he was widely questioned for failing to adapt his approach when Saints were in the top flight.

Russell Martin and Leicester City could be the perfect match at this time

Following on from that, there’s no doubt that some Leicester fans will be against this appointment, as Martin has had a mixed managerial career so far.

But, his reputation is at a low point after his time at Rangers, so he is in a position where he needs to find the right job to get back on track - and Leicester could be the ideal fit.

The Foxes are starting with a clean slate next season, as a lot of the squad will move on, and academy players will be relied on, so it could be the right time for Martin to get buy-in from the squad over his style of play.

If he can do that, and play the dominant, attacking football that he wants, then it could work out for Leicester, who need a clear strategy and long-term project as they look to address a dismal few years on the pitch.

Of course, that has to be combined with success, as a club of Leicester’s size has to win promotion next season, but, at a lower level, they have a chance to implement an approach that could serve them well moving forward.

Martin’s knowledge of League One is an added benefit, as it should help him hit the ground running if he does take over. But, whether it’s Martin or not, whoever is in charge needs support from the owner, as a huge window awaits for Leicester.