Next Leicester Manager Odds: Contenders To Replace Beleaguered Marti Cifuentes

Some Leicester fans turned their anger on manager Marti Cifuentes after Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat by relegation-threatened Sheffield United.

The Foxes conceded two goals inside the first four minutes and went into the break 3-0 down, but launched a second-half comeback which ultimately fell short.

City are now 16th in the table, just seven points clear of the relegation zone on the back of five defeats in eight Championship games, and some fans joined in with Blades supporters singing “you’re getting sacked in the morning” just before half-time.

Although Cifuentes later pleaded with supporters to be given the chance to turn things around, some betting sites have opened a market on potential replacements for the Spaniard, who only joined the club in the summer as a replacement for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He said: “Everybody knows why I’m here. I came here to fix some issues. I never said those issues were easy to fix, and that it would be quick. I’m aware of the things we need to improve.

“I’m very committed to giving the fans something back. I just hope they understand that I came here to fix something and that they let me fix this.”

Will Cifuentes be given the chance to launch a late run for the play-offs or will the club’s board turn elsewhere in a bid to resurrect the team’s fortunes?

Gambling.com looks at some of the potential contenders and the latest next Leicester manager odds.

Carrick Heads Foxes List

Michael Carrick is the 6/4 favourite for the Leicester job on football betting sites should it become available.

The former West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United midfielder spent almost three seasons as Middlesbrough manager which ended in June following a 10th-placed finish.

Carrick, though, made a massive impact in his first season in charge, leading Boro from 21st in the Championship to the play-offs in the 2022/23 campaign which they lost to Coventry in the semi-finals.

Although Boro failed to finish in the top six in the following season, they made it to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, so Carrick has a decent pedigree in the Championship.

Next Leicester Manager Odds:

Martin Has Promotion Experience

Everyone remembers how bad Southampton were in the Premier League and Russell Martin’s terrible short-lived spell as Rangers manager, but let’s focus on his achievements.

Martin first made his mark with MK Dons and then Swansea, who were attracted by his focus on a possession-based brand of football. 

The former Norwich defender joined Saints in June 2023 and during his debut season oversaw a club-record 25-game unbeaten run.

Southampton went on to finish fourth and book their spot in the top flight with a Championship play-off final win against Leeds.

The last couple of years haven’t gone so well for the former Scotland international, but he is 2/1 to return to the Championship with Leicester. 

Keane A Title Winner 

Robbie Keane scored 126 goals for six different clubs in the Premier League and although he only won the League Cup with Tottenham during that spell, he is making his mark as a manager.

The former Ireland striker has won league titles in Israel and Hungary with Maccabi Tel Aviv and current club Ferencvaros respectively in back-to-back seasons.

Keane learned his craft as an assistant at Leeds, Middlesbrough and the Republic of Ireland before dipping his toes into management in the Middle East. 

With Ferencvaros well placed for another title tilt, Keane may decide to wait before an opportunity arises in the UK, but he is 4/1 with betting apps to end up at the King Power Stadium next. 

O’Neil Biding His Time

Gary O’Neil turned down the chance to rejoin Wolves less than a year after he was sacked by the club last December.

The former Bournemouth boss has been linked with vacancies that have been filled (Norwich, Rangers and Southampton) and clubs who may be tempted to make a change (Leeds), but he remains out of work.

O’Neil did many good things in difficult circumstances at the Vitality Stadium and Molineux, so he commands respect as a former Premier League manager.

Leicester are a big club and would be tempting for O’Neil, who is priced at 5/1 to take the next step in his managerial career with the Foxes.

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Muscat Seems Happy In China

Kevin Muscat has just steered Shanghai Port to a successive Chinese Super League titles and is 6/1 to be appointed the next Leicester manager.

That would seem unlikely after the Aussie turned down the chance to return to his former club Rangers in their hour of need following Martin’s dismissal.

Elsewhere, Martin O’Neill has enjoyed a late renaissance in his second spell as Celtic’s manager, but could he also make a return to the club he led to the Premier League almost 30 years ago?

The 73-year-old Northern Irishman also won the League Cup twice during a five-year spell at Filbert Street and is 8/1 for what would be a stunning homecoming.

Solskjaer An Outsider

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer famously scored the winning goal against Bayern Munich which gave Manchester United the Treble in the 1998/99 season, but he is now determined to make it as a manager.

The Norwegian spent three years as head coach at Old Trafford following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, twice finishing in the top four which would be viewed as a major success under the new regime.

Sacked by Besiktas in August, Solskjaer is 10/1 to return to the Championship, having been Cardiff’s manager in 2014 in between spells at Molde.

Damien Duff, who won the Irish Premier Division with Shelbourne last year, is 12/1, former Southampton manager Will Still is 14/1 and ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is available at 16/1.

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.

Should Cifuentes be given more time or is it already time for a change at the King Power? Comment below or vote in our poll above!