Leicester City remain on the lookout for a new head coach following Enzo Maresca’s departure and have identified an English coach who has been unemployed for over a year, according to the latest reports.
The Foxes were dealt a huge blow last week when it was announced that Maresca would be heading to Stamford Bridge after guiding the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Championship winners will reportedly receive a compensation fee between £8-10 million for the Italian’s services.
Leicester City Targeting Manager With 63% Win Ratio In English Football
The club’s search for a successor for Maresca has been inconclusive so far. It was reported at the weekend that the hierarchy were keen to speak to former Chelsea and Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri who left his position at Lazio back in March but rumours began circulating in Italy shortly after that the 65-year-old was not interested in a return to English football and was holding out for offers in Serie A.
Now, journalist Alan Nixon has provided an update on Leicester’s search for a new head coach, claiming that the board have now turned their attention towards ex-Swansea City and Brighton manager Graham Potter who is on the club’s “hit list”.
However, Nixon has also added that Potter is in no rush to decide his future and is eyeing up the England national team position which is set to be vacated this summer after EURO 2024 concludes when long-term manager Gareth Southgate will likely step down from his post after eight years in charge.
Potter, who is also wanted by his former side Brighton following Roberto De Zerbi’s exit, holds a 42% win ratio in his managerial career, including merely a 29% win percentage in the Premier League across his time with the Seagulls and Chelsea.
Writer’s View
Potter is an obvious candidate for the Leicester City job based on his several seasons worth of experience managing in the top division of English football. Furthermore, he plays a similar brand of football as Maresca which makes him an ideal option at the King Power Stadium.
Nonetheless, there will be reservations about him taking over in the East Midlands, notably due to his side’s notorious struggles in front of goal. With top scorer Jamie Vardy turning 38 in the New Year, the Foxes have yet to find a successor for the club legend and goals may be hard to come by if the potentially Potter-coached side follow the trajectory of his previous tenures.
