Former Leicester City striker Emile Heskey believes Danny Rohl could be the ideal candidate to succeed Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Foxes finally announced the departure of the Dutchman yesterday, more than a month after the end of the Premier League season. It had long been expected but it was claimed last week that the delay was due to the financial implications of sacking two managers in the same financial year following the exit of Steve Cooper in November. However, van Nistelrooy is claimed to have left by mutual consent.
Two men have been linked with the role over the past few weeks. Sean Dyche had been the favourite to make the move to the King Power Stadium, although reports emerged yesterday claiming that the former Burnley and Everton boss has no intention of taking on the position.
The other appears to be far more attainable, despite currently being tied down to another club. Danny Rohl has been linked to a number of jobs over the past few months and is widely expected to leave Sheffield Wednesday in the coming weeks. The German is admired by Leicester and appears to be a primary target.
Heskey Weighs In On Rohl Debate
Emile Heskey rose through the ranks at Leicester, making over 150 appearances before a big-money move to Liverpool in 2000. Speaking to talkSPORT, the ex-striker believes his former club have to get the next appointment right and sees the appeal of Rohl:
“It would be great for the club to announce someone soon because then the fans can be settled and can understand where the club’s going. I think they (City) need someone who understands the fight, who understands the city a little bit.
“You have to understand the fanbase and understand who Leicester are as a club. You have to understand the fight the Championship is. It’s tough, it’s relentless.
“Sheffield Wednesday have been a club that have had their own battles. They’ve not been able to spend and they have done OK.
“You look at a manager that has had problems off the pitch but still managed to galvanise the squad and have a go and have a fight. Whoever it is has to understand the fight they are in. You’ve got a fanbase that are demanding but that will back you.
“There’s a team that needs to show what they’re capable of. They came up two seasons ago and some of the players are still there. They are capable of doing that but they need to show it on a more regular basis.”
Writer’s View
It does appear as if it is increasingly likely that Danny Rohl’s next job will be at the King Power Stadium. Aside from Dyche, he is the only name being mentioned in a serious capacity. If reports are to be believed that Dyche isn’t interested in the position, this gives the German almost a free run. Still, Leicester would need to negotiate an exit fee with his current employers and with funds expected to be tight, they may shift their attention to a free agent. Could someone like Michael Carrick emerge as a contender?
