Nathaniel Mendez-Laing & Curtis Davies react to big Leicester City, Conor Hourihane news | OneFootball

Conor Hourihane has been appointed by Leicester City as Russell Martin's assistant manager

Leicester City are preparing for life in League One under Russell Martin following the appointment of the 40-year-old.

The Foxes suffered relegation from the Championship last season, coming 23rd after they were deducted six points for breaching the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

The club finished five points adrift of safety, so this played a direct role in the team going down for the second season in a row.

But Martin’s arrival marks a reset for the squad, who will now be looking to compete for promotion back to the second tier at the first attempt.

The former Southampton and Rangers boss has been out of work since last September after a brief spell at Ibrox.

He previously worked at a League One level with MK Dons, before moving to Swansea City in August 2021, and he will be joined by Conor Hourihane as his assistant.

Conor Hourihane’s message to Leicester City receives reaction

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Hourihane has issued a message to Leicester supporters following confirmation that he will join the club as part of Martin’s coaching staff.

He expects it to be a busy season ahead for the Foxes, but he’s looking forward to getting stuck in, as he makes his next move after departing Barnsley at the end of the previous campaign.

“Delighted to be given the opportunity to be assistant manager of this amazing club,” wrote Hourihane, via Instagram.

“Lots of work to do and excited for the season ahead.”

The Irishman has received plenty of reaction from former teammates, such as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, as well as Curtis Davies, with the trio all sharing time together at Derby County.

Mendez-Laing responded with love eyes and heart emojis, while Davies wrote: “All the best Con.”

Hourihane was in charge of the Tykes last season, but exited via mutual consent with the end of the campaign as the team finished an underwhelming 15th.

How Leicester City fans feel about Conor Hourihane’s arrival as assistant

Hourihane has received a strong welcome from a lot of Leicester fans following his move into an assistant role under Martin, although he’s been warned about the size of the task at hand.

Fans are hopeful for the campaign ahead, but they’ve made it quite clear that there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to get the team back on track.

Meanwhile, some believe the former midfielder might be better off getting his boots back on and joining the first team squad.

And other supporters are now just excited for the new season to get underway now that the players are back in training.

Leicester will begin life in League One with a trip to face Notts County on 15 August.

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Conor Hourihane can learn a lot from Russell Martin

Hourihane wasn’t quite ready for the task of head coach last season, and it showed with a disappointing campaign for Barnsley.

The Irishman will be able to hone his craft by working under someone as experienced as Martin at a club the size of Leicester.

There will be an expectation for the Foxes to earn automatic promotion next season, particularly now with someone like Martin at the helm.

Fans have had little reason for optimism in the last couple of years, so it’s now up to Hourihane and Martin to work together to restore some positivity at the King Power Stadium.