Leicester City’s uneven start to their 2025-26 Championship campaign under Marti Cifuentes dragged on Tuesday night as they were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.
The outcome leaves the Foxes stuck in the lower half of the Championship standings, and although the gap to the play-offs isn’t impossible to close, the truth is that many believe the Midlands side are currently falling short of expectations.
Naturally, the supporters are growing increasingly frustrated, and it’s not only the results that have raised doubts about Cifuentes, as Leicester haven’t consistently impressed with their displays.
So, while there’s no indication that Cifuentes is on the verge of losing his role, he is wise enough to understand how these situations unfold, and a failure to improve will place him under intense examination.
With a possible points deduction looming, promotion is starting to look unlikely, and the recent reshaping of the club could represent the beginning of a fresh chapter for Leicester.
Despite everything, Leicester would still remain an appealing job, and here we examine THREE contenders they should look at if they decide to part ways with the former QPR boss…
Michael Carrick:
As noted, Leicester have recently made adjustments at the top of the club, which shows they are planning with the future in mind, so the next hire could be chosen with long-term goals at the forefront.
If that’s the case, Michael Carrick would be a logical option, as he built an attractive, possession-based Middlesbrough side that secured a play-off spot in his debut season.
Granted, they didn’t push on in the manner many predicted, and he was dismissed by Boro after failing to make the top six last season, but Carrick still demonstrated that he is a competent manager, and there’s an argument to be made that he could achieve more with this talented Leicester squad.
Additionally, his stature in the sport means he would earn respect from the dressing room, and the opportunity to lead a new project at Leicester would undoubtedly appeal to the ex-Man United midfielder.
Gary O’Neil:
Gary O’Neil has been mentioned in connection with several vacancies in recent weeks, with the former Wolves boss admitting he is eager to return to management.
The 42-year-old has a solid résumé, having done an impressive job to keep Bournemouth in the Premier League against all expectations after being thrown into a difficult situation. He then enjoyed an excellent first season at Wolves before things quickly deteriorated in his second year.
Still, O’Neil is regarded as an intelligent, forward-thinking coach, and some time in the Championship could be exactly what he needs at this stage of his career.
From Leicester’s point of view, O’Neil appears to be a strong candidate, and he would also promote a quick, attack-minded style of football that fans crave.
Ralph Hasenhuttl:
Every club should have a long-term plan in place, but the reality is that each additional year spent outside the Premier League makes promotion more challenging.
We know Leicester are determined to return to the top flight, so opting for a short-term solution may be wise — and Ralph Hasenhuttl fits that description.
The Austrian may lack Championship experience, but he has earned promotions in Germany. Furthermore, his Premier League background with Southampton means he understands English football well.
Hasenhuttl would jump at the opportunity to coach this Leicester squad, and he could be exactly the type of manager to spark an immediate reaction as they push for promotion. He is also currently a free agent after leaving Wolfsburg earlier this year, and he might be an ideal fit for a City side that could require a change sooner rather than later.