Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes has urged fans to exercise patience as he works to guide the club back to the Premier League in a “sustainable” manner.
The Foxes have been relegated to the Championship twice over the past three seasons, and Cifuentes, who joined on a three-year contract in July, says supporters can expect a “fantastic journey” if he is granted time.
“We’re in a results business and that’s the way it is,” Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling podcast.
“A big club like Leicester should be, as soon as possible, back in the Premier League – because that’s where this club belongs.
“We need to do it in a way that is sustainable. Most important, for me, is creating an identity – not just in the way we play football, but how we develop a sustainable club that has academy players coming through the system who can give us an advantage.
“What kind of players do we sign? Can we make the King Power [Stadium] a real fortress, so that even in the Premier League, it will be a tough place for teams to come and take points?
“I’m a strong believer in the process and the journey, and I’m enjoying it immensely.”
City have won three of their first four league fixtures following a summer of extensive squad changes, with only Ipswich Town keeping more possession on average than Cifuentes’ side as the 43-year-old looks to establish a “Leicester style.”
“During this rebuild, we aimed to find the right personalities – players who want to represent a club like this and embrace the pressure of playing for Leicester in the Championship,” he said.
“I don’t want to claim credit because I am not the one tackling or running. Credit goes to the players, as they are showing commitment.
“That reflects the club itself: we have an owner who cares, is investing money, and doing his best to ensure we return to where we belong.
“I’m just a small part of the puzzle, helping the players. The game belongs to them. Nobody buys a ticket to watch the manager.
“I would love to one day coach in the Premier League, but I’m not obsessed with it. I want to make sure we build something meaningful for this club.”
One of the standout moments early in Cifuentes’ tenure has been Jeremy Monga’s record-breaking goal at Preston North End, making the England youth winger the youngest scorer in Championship history at 16 years and 37 days.
Cifuentes views Monga as an example of balancing long-term development with immediate results.
“It might take some time before we see Jeremy Monga at his best because he only turned 16 [in July],” said the Spaniard.
“Sometimes we desire instant success, but there’s a process to achieving things. If the fans grasp this, it will be a fantastic journey together.
“On the day I depart – whether in two years, 10 years, or longer – I want us to feel it was a journey worth experiencing.”