Who should replace Brendan Rodgers as Leicester City manager?
Now that Leicester have escaped from the clutches of former squeeze, Brendan Rodgers, our attentions turn to what’s next.
Who could Leicester attract? Who should they try to attract? Is this all going to lead to us texting Brendan in a stupor at two in the morning?
Who I want, and what will happen are likely two incredibly differing outcomes, but I think that like almost every sensible Leicester fan I would absolutely love to see Graham Potter come in.
Opinions on Facebook are usually delusional at best, but I did see the quote “I would take Potter if we had to but we should still get Poch”, which is the textbook definition of delusions of grandeur, and I sort of feel the same about saying Potter. Would he actually come to us? Unsure.
Realistically, we need someone to come in with fresh ideas, someone who knows how to get the best out of players, and someone who is able to inject a bit of pride back into the squad. It is no secret that things had grown stale under Rodgers, and a new manager needs to reverse this, and fast.
Despite his rather disastrous spell at Chelsea, I don’t doubt that Potter is that man. You never truly felt that all was quite as it seemed at Chelsea, and I struggle to believe that the man who had garnered such fantastic reputation across his previous clubs would become a poor manager overnight.
Benitez until the end of the season is unconvincing, but preferable to Bielsa, Marsch or Hassenhuttl at least!
Jamie Thorpe
I think there's a huge difference here between who we would like and who we could actually get. There simply has to be an awareness within the fan base that whoever comes in at this point won't have universal, or even reasonable approval.
Our need to try and avoid a pay out has compromised our ability to attract established managers like Thomas Frank. We also haven't got the time to go for an up and coming manager like Will Still. I think the perilous situation also stops us going for Potter; even if he fancied it (big if), could we really commit to the size of wage he'd want when there's a good chance we'll be in the Championship next season?
Therefore, I think interim is the way to go and I think it should be Rafa Benitez. He knows the league, his stature in the game should ensure the players listen to him straight away and most importantly, he's a defensive coach. If we can concede 10 goals in the last 10 games rather than the 20+ we would have done under Brendan, the attack might just keep us up. But would Rafa want an interim gig? It's an absolute mess.
Iain Wright
I'm sticking with my stance, slightly tongue in cheek, of 'anyone'. Obviously I want the best possible manager to take us forward, but I stand by that the biggest thing that was needed was the change (and Rodgers leaving), even if it's come ridiculously late.
My response also comes because I'll hold my hands up to not knowing enough about potential managers out there, so I'll leave it to the experts, hopefully of whom are somewhere in the club.
I wouldn't be against leaving Stowell and Sadler to take the helm until the end of the season, where the club can make a more calculated decision on where we want to go in the summer, hopefully in the Premier League.
There's been talk of Potter turning us down, I'd argue it'd be better for him to come in the summer so maybe he wants a break and to see what happens with us, then will be up for coming here as a new project fully refreshed. He seems a likeable guy and it looks an obvious fit. It's going to be very interesting to see how it plays out.
Becky Taylor
We almost have to hold our noses and appoint Benitez. There’s no other realistic caretaker candidate, and we can’t appoint anyone permanently until we know which division we’re in.
This was always the danger in not acting before now. Before the World Cup we would have had far more options. Even a month ago we would have done. Now we’re browsing the bargain basement for a saviour.
Even longer term we’re in a tough spot. Potter’s players were nicknaming him ‘Hogwarts’ at Chelsea, is he going to bring the tough love we’re looking for? I’d be willing to take a chance on someone like Michael Carrick or even Kieran McKenna, but then there’s the danger of going full Nathan Jones.
In Rafa we sort of trust, for a bit, if we don’t think about it too much.
James Knight
I have previously said on the podcast that I wouldn't take Graham Potter as manager, but a lot has changed since then and should we stay up I think he would be my first choice.
We are not going to find a manager of huge calibre until they know which division we are in so it will be someone who either wants the money, is desperate for a job, or who thinks they can keep us up and get the job full time in the summer in the interim.
If we guarantee our Premier League status, once Potter has returned from his break we should be a similar project to what he had at Brighton and we could offer him decent wages. The squad needs a huge overhaul and we're likely to lose Tielemans and Maddison, but it would mean he could put his own stamp on it and he plays attractive football, which should suit some of those players that will stay.
I fear we could be in a similar situation next season with so many players out of contract, even if we stay up this season, so it needs to be a safe pair of hands. I also think Thomas Frank would be tempted, in spite of Brentford's impressive season and I'm a huge fan of River Plate's former manager Marcelo Gallardo, but that would be a huge risk given the current situation at the club.
Jordan Halford
