Leicester sack Marti Cifuentes just months into reign as club legend takes interim charge
Leicester City have parted ways with Marti Cifuentes following a dismal 2-1 loss at home to struggling Oxford United on Saturday afternoon.
The 43-year-old Spaniard departs the King Power Stadium after just six months in the role, with the Foxes sitting 14th in the Championship table, six points adrift of the playoff positions.
Saturday’s reverse marked the club’s 11th league defeat of the campaign under Cifuentes, who was brought in last July to guide Leicester back to the top flight following their second Premier League relegation in three seasons.
The former Queens Park Rangers boss leaves with immediate effect.
Marti Cifuentes was tasked with taking Leicester back to the Premier League
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Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha acknowledged the difficulty of the decision in a club statement released this afternoon.
“This has been a difficult decision and not one I have taken lightly,” he said.
“I would like to thank Marti for the total commitment he has shown during his time at Leicester City. He gave everything to the role and worked tirelessly to help us achieve our targets.”
The chairman added that he believes the move represents “the right step at this time to improve performances and results, and to act in the best interests of Leicester City Football Club.”
Srivaddhanaprabha wished Cifuentes well for the future.
Andy King, a member of Leicester’s remarkable 2015/16 squad that defied 5,000-1 odds to claim the Premier League title, will assume temporary control of first-team affairs while the club seeks a permanent appointment.
Coach Andy King has stepped up to take interim charge until a permanent successor can be found
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The former Foxes midfielder’s elevation to the dugout comes as Leicester embark on a search for their sixth permanent manager since Brendan Rodgers was dismissed in April 2023.
King’s first match in charge will be Saturday’s home fixture against Charlton Athletic.
Russell Martin, Robbie Keane and Mark Robins have emerged among the early contenders to take the reins on a permanent basis.
Stoke City boss Mark Robins has emerged as an early frontrunner for the vacancy
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Cifuentes’ tenure was characterised by inconsistency, with the Spaniard recording 11 victories, eight draws and 12 defeats across 31 matches in all competitions.
The club managed consecutive league wins on just two occasions this season, while their best unbeaten stretch comprised eight games between late August and mid-October, five of which ended level.
Leicester currently find themselves 13 places and 31 points behind where Enzo Maresca’s title-winning side stood at the equivalent stage of the 2023/24 campaign.
The club faces significant financial constraints, with expectations that only loan signings will be possible during the January window amid ongoing PSR concerns.
