Leicester edging closer to Cifuentes appointment

Leicester City are closing in on the appointment of former QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes.

Gary O'Neil and Chris Wilder were interviewed by the Foxes last week while there was also interest in Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl and ex-Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.

But Cifuentes, who officially left QPR last month after being placed on gardening leave in April, is expected to be named as Ruud van Nistelrooy's replacement with Leicester likely to have to pay compensation for the Spaniard.

Current QPR assistant Xavi Calm, who worked with Cifuentes at Loftus Road, could also join him at the King Power Stadium.

Cifuentes had been in charge of QPR since October 2023, when he replaced Gareth Ainsworth with the club second bottom of the Championship before the 43-year-old guided them to 18th.

Leicester sacked Van Nistelrooy in June after just six months in charge, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker winning just five of his 27 games as the Foxes were relegated from the Premier League last season.

The timing of the decision allows them to include any severance for the Dutchman in next year's accounts, helping them comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations [PSR] having already axed Van Nistelrooy's predecessor Steve Cooper in November.

Cifuentes will become Leicester's sixth manager in just over two years as they prepare for life in the Championship with the prospect of a points deduction after being charged with an alleged PSR breach.