Surprise new frontrunner for Leicester’s manager role with two more names linked with job

There is a surprise new frontrunner for the Leicester’s manager role with two more names linked with the vacant job this week.

Reports stated that the Championship outfit were moving closer to appointing a replacement, but all of a sudden it seems Marti Cifuentes is a strong contender to takeover.

On Monday, John Percy said that the Foxes were nearing a decision, with Gary O’Neil and Chris Wilder shortlisted after interviews.

John Percy tweeted on Monday (7th July): “#lcfc are moving closer to appointing a new head coach. Gary O’Neil and Chris Wilder are both on the shortlist after interviews last week in London with ‘Top’ & Rudkin. Other candidates have been spoken to and Leicester hope to appoint later this week”

Meanwhile, Rob Dorsett tweeted: “Chris Wilder and Sean Dyche among numerous candidates #lcfc have interviewed in last few days. #swfc Danny Rohl also serious contender but more complicated to get him. Two other unnamed candidates too, but Leicester hope to identify a preferred candidate this week.”

Rob Dorsett later added: “Gary O’Neil now a front runner for #lcfc job, with Rohl and Dyche out of the picture, I’m told. Rohl too complicated, Dyche has distanced himself. Chris Wilder still very much an option at this stage, with Leicester keen to progress the hunt.”

Former QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes is emerging as a strong contender to take over at Leicester.

(Via: @JPercyTelegraph)#LCFC #QPR pic.twitter.com/u8kt5lIj28

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) July 8, 2025

In the last 3 days, Leicester City have been linked to SIX different managers

🇩🇰 Bo Svensson
🇪🇸 Martí Cifuentes
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Chris Wilder
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Gary O’Neil
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sean Dyche
🇩🇪 Danny Röhl

Who do you want to take charge of #LCFC, and why? pic.twitter.com/DirzPhBHiW

— 𝙇𝘾𝙁𝘾 𝙎𝙋 (@LCFCshitposting) July 9, 2025

On the 8th of July, he wrote: “#lcfc are trying to progress a deal to make Marti Cifuentes their new boss, after talks stalled with Gary O’Neil earlier today. Cifuentes has offered to forego some of the compensation due from #qpr, to take the job. It isn’t his yet – Wilder and O’Neil still being considered.

“I’ve been told Cifuentes will be losing “several hundred thousand pounds” of #qpr compensation (where he is still on gardening leave) if he takes the #lcfc job.”

Pete O’Rourke said: “Leicester are negotiating with QPR for the release of assistant boss Xavier Calm who was assistant to Martí Cifuentes at Loftus Road with the duo set to link up again at the King Power.”

Miguel Delaney said: QPR haven’t yet received any contact over Cifuentes, despite Leicester interest, and that part of the mutual separation agreement was that the compensation is only payable by a club/federation. Leicester have also discussed O’Neil, Wilder and Bo Svensson

John Percy also said: “Former #QPR head coach Martí Cifuentes is emerging as a strong contender to take over at #lcfc. Admired by Leicester board for some time and has held talks. Cifuentes left QPR by mutual consent at the end of last season”

Here’s the fans reaction to the surprise new front-runner for Leicester’s manager role with two more names linked with job…

@TAIEpodcast: 😂😂😂😂😂 another candidate added to the ever growing list, all of which have completely different styles. What great planning from the second worst run club in the country! Shambles

@lcfckeiran: It really feels like there’s no plan from the club as per usual. The random managerial names being thrown left, right and centre… it even sounds like there’s legal complications with any deal for Martí Cifuentes too… #LCFC

@RFox55_: 80 days after relegation and our club is being run like this.

@rbadiani: It’s obvious that #LCFC have no plan! The fact that a successor was not lined up knowing that RVN was going to be out is mad! The club is on free fall and needs someone to direct it back into a good space – not the incumbent and incompetence we have directing the show today!

@Ashleypp1986: Well, whoever gets the nod to become the new #LCFC manager, welcome to the circus! the whole situation and the way it’s been conducted by Top and Rudkin has been farcical and total amateurish!

@konchilcfc: For me, I’d be going after Michael Carrick for Leicester. Great coach whose club sold their best players halfway through the season and still almost made the playoffs to get promotion. But reports sound as if a different route is in place. #LCFC

@SweeneySean_: One of the main reasons we need a new manager in ASAP, is so he can decide who he’s keeping. We need to get big earners out the door. Getting rid is more important than bringing in right now. Just a bit of fitness! #LCFC 🦊

@lee1978lcfc:
Day 11 in the search for a new boss
AM – Gary O’Neill – incoming
PM – Talks stalled 👀 Cifuentes now favourite – No contact made from City to QPR
Settlement fee needs paying.
Betting suspended
Odds checker – Sean Dyche 1/25 🤦
22:23 – Odds checker – Cifuentes 1/100
#lcfc 💙🦊

@KGeorgiev90: Have a little time so as a #QPR fan, here is what @LCFC fans can expect if Cifuentes becomes your gaffer: In 2023/24 he saved us from a very difficult situation, brought club & fans together, with some memorable games, especially 4-0 vs Leeds. Hopes were high. 2024/25 we had a ton of injuries, so that’s didn’t help at all, yet I found he had a poor overall season, tactically and with subs and ingame decisions, a lot of games he was utterly outcoached, and team had a great stretch sandwiched between horrendous stuff. He’s a smart guy, but I was happy to let him go, lost faith in him and what he was doing, as I feel he lost the plot & dressing room, combined with boring and predictable football. Curious to see if he can re-establish with you lot, will follow closely.

@mnorman1985: Let me get this straight, this makes him our 5th choice at this point right? Behind Dyche, Rohl, Wilder & O’Neil? This proves the club is an absolute shambles. They really haven’t got a clue who to appoint have they?! #lcfc