Leicester target Russell Martin to replace Marti Cifuentes

Leicester City are currently targeting a “courageous” manager to replace Marti Sifuentes, who is keen to move to the King Power Stadium.

Leicester looking for replacement for Sifuentes

Leicester decided to sack Sifuentes after a 2-1 defeat at Oxford United that left them 14th in the Championship, but with only six points adrift of the play-offs there is still time to salvage the season if the next appointment goes well.

However, the 43-year-old has come under heavy criticism following his sacking, and there are doubts over whether the organization will be able to attract the right talent.

According to journalist Tom Kolomos, the Foxes have begun recruiting an experienced manager to replace the Spaniard and are currently targeting a manager who has already won promotion to the Championship.

It comes as Football Insider reports that former Southampton manager Russell Martin is currently interested in joining Leicester and replacing Sifuentes in the dugout.

Martin is said to have ticked many of the owner’s boxes and is “ready and available” to take charge at the King Power Stadium, having been sacked by Scottish giants Rangers in October after winning just five of his 17 games in charge.

Despite failing to live up to expectations at Ibrox, the 40-year-old remains highly rated and there are indications that he could be a viable replacement for Cifuentes.

‘Courageous’ Martin could be a surefire successor to Cifuentes

The Brighton-born manager, described as “courageous” by journalist Jason Birt, knows what it takes to get out of the Championship and led Southampton to promotion in 2023-24 with a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the play-off final.

The former Saints manager, who preferred to implement an attacking 4-3-3 system, failed to make the step up to the Premier League, but was sacked after losing 13 of their first 16 games, leaving them bottom of the table.

The Scot, who played just 17 games for Rangers, is also not the best sign, but with elimination from the Championship being Leicester’s most pressing problem, he has shown he is capable of leading the team to promotion to the Premier League.

Martin could therefore be a solid replacement for Sifuentes, at least in the short term, and it is encouraging news that he is interested in a move to the King Power Stadium.