Leicester City look set to dismiss head coach Marti Cifuentes after Saturday’s damaging 2-1 home defeat to Championship strugglers Oxford United.
Oxford arrived at the King Power Stadium sitting 23rd in the table, but left with a result that has pushed Leicester further off course. The Foxes now sit 14th in the division, six points outside the play-off places, and their hopes of an immediate return to the Premier League are fading fast.
Cifuentes was appointed last summer with the clear brief of leading Leicester back to the top flight following relegation last season. The former QPR boss took over after a turbulent exit from Loftus Road, where he had largely impressed in his first role in English football.
However, his time in the East Midlands has failed to deliver the expected progress. Since arriving in July, the 43-year-old has recorded 11 wins from 31 matches, alongside nine draws and 11 defeats. Leicester have managed just one victory in their last five league outings, with patience among supporters wearing thin.
According to The Guardian, Leicester’s hierarchy are set to hold decisive talks on Sunday to assess Cifuentes’ future, with the club said to be close to pulling the trigger on his dismissal despite the three-year contract he signed last summer. Discontent among fans was clear during the Oxford loss, with chants aimed directly at the manager.
Speaking after the match, Cifuentes acknowledged the frustration in the stands and accepted responsibility for the situation. He admitted it was painful to hear the reaction from supporters but stressed that results ultimately dictate a manager’s fate.
Attention has already turned to potential successors. Former Swansea City and Southampton boss Russell Martin has emerged as an early favourite. The 40-year-old has been out of work since a brief and turbulent spell at Rangers ended in October, having previously guided Southampton to Premier League promotion via the play-offs in 2024.
Other names are also being considered. Robbie Keane is among those linked with the vacancy, having earned praise for his work at Ferencváros in Hungary. The former Tottenham striker has also held coaching roles at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Leeds United and Middlesbrough, and has been mentioned in connection with several high-profile jobs this season.
Gary Rowett is another candidate under discussion. The experienced Championship operator was most recently in charge at Oxford United before his dismissal in December, despite a promising start that earned him Manager of the Month honours earlier in the campaign. Rowett previously spent four years at Millwall and has also managed Birmingham City, Stoke City and Derby County.
With a crucial run of fixtures ahead, Leicester face a pivotal moment as they weigh up whether a change in the dugout is required to salvage their season.