Cifuentes OUT

[Muzzy_no7]

2 minutes ago, BKLFox said:

Lets say we sack him & go for a name mentioned above Marco Rose do things suddenly turn good?

Rose himself says he prefers a 442 diamond & will default to that when he can, yes he has also used combinations of 433/4321 but lets stick with the 442 (diamond) now look at the squad 

We haven’t got the full backs for a diamond 

[CosbehFox]

2 minutes ago, BKLFox said:

Lets say we sack him & go for a name mentioned above Marco Rose do things suddenly turn good?

Rose himself says he prefers a 442 diamond & will default to that when he can, yes he has also used combinations of 433/4321 but lets stick with the 442 (diamond) now look at the squad 

A foreign appointment would be a ****ing disaster as there is no one at the club with the football expertise to help them with anything. LCFC effectively have managers rather than head coaches. 

[Muzzy_no7]

Just now, CosbehFox said:

What's the reasoning for one win this season? Been let down by the board? 

He was massively let down this summer as well as in January. 
 

Mainz squad last year was a 13th-15th squad. This year after losing Burkardt it’s similar with European fixtures added in. 
 

They’re essentially paying the price for not capitalising on last years success. 
 

 

[Mickyblueeyes]

The only reason why this guy whose side has collapsed twice in the first half in the last two games, hasn’t been sack is because…the owner, leader, decision maker, Lord and saviour Khun Rat Bastard is playing polo and doesn’t want the headache until he is back. 
 

No other club keeps him after the performances this season and consistent drop in standards. It’s horrendous.

[ClaphamFox]

10 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

The only reason why this guy whose side has collapsed twice in the first half in the last two games, hasn’t been sack is because…the owner, leader, decision maker, Lord and saviour Khun Rat Bastard is playing polo and doesn’t want the headache until he is back. 
 

No other club keeps him after the performances this season and consistent drop in standards. It’s horrendous.

We can’t appoint a new permanent manager until the new technical director and CEO are in place. Therefore we could only realistically sack Marti now if we had an interim manager at the ready who we’re confident would do a better job. And there aren’t many of those about. 

[Mickyblueeyes]

Just now, ClaphamFox said:

We can’t appoint a new permanent manager until the new technical director and CEO are in place. Therefore we could only realistically sack Marti now if we had an interim manager at the ready who we’re confident would do a better job. And there aren’t many of those about. 

Ok. How’s the ceo search going ? Or the technical director ? That’s the next question. 

[ClaphamFox]

6 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

Ok. How’s the ceo search going ? Or the technical director ? That’s the next question. 

When Top finally decides to bury the hatchet and let me back in his inner circle, I’ll let you know. 

[brookfox]

No point sacking him. He’s sandwiched between an inept board and a squad where some don’t want to be here and others think they’re too good to be here. And given the wages most are on won’t move.

 

All in feels like we need a massive reset of the board and playing squad. Only then will we be able to really judge him and know if he’s the right person. 

 

The counter is his obvious flaws; dull football, loses tactical battles, keeps playing certain players and hoping for a change. And if we do keep dropping points though we may have no choice but to gamble on a new person or L1 could be a real possibility.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

36 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

Ok. How’s the ceo search going ? Or the technical director ? That’s the next question. 

Owner has more pressing issues on his mind.

[Mickyblueeyes]

21 minutes ago, ClaphamFox said:

When Top finally decides to bury the hatchet and let me back in his inner circle, I’ll let you know. 

So you’re telling me it’s all gone to shit because you decided to have a bust up with Top!

[Lichfieldfox.]

I'm in the don't change the manager camp. He's been sold a pup 

None of his own players. Inherited a bunch of entitled overpaid players who always quit and led by a failing board.

We need a rebuild from board to first team and beyond. January is critical and we need to get the right people in and be patient. This year is a year to stand still and stay in the championship. A year to resuscitate the club, then stabilise, then revitalise the expectation that foxes never quit.

 

[CornwallFox]

2 hours ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

We haven’t got the full backs for a diamond 

We haven't got the full backs for Sunday league football

[CornwallFox]

52 minutes ago, Lichfieldfox. said:

I'm in the don't change the manager camp. He's been sold a pup 

None of his own players. Inherited a bunch of entitled overpaid players who always quit and led by a failing board.

We need a rebuild from board to first team and beyond. January is critical and we need to get the right people in and be patient. This year is a year to stand still and stay in the championship. A year to resuscitate the club, then stabilise, then revitalise the expectation that foxes never quit.

 

If I could see any sort of gameplan I'd probably agree but I have slowly come to round to the fact both the players and manager are crap. 

Edited 3 December 2025 by CornwallFox

[Mike Oxlong]

1 hour ago, ClaphamFox said:

When Top finally decides to bury the hatchet and let me back in his inner circle, I’ll let you know. 

Jon asked me to let you know that there’s only room for him in Top’s inner circle 

[David Gutteridge]

2 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

A foreign appointment would be a ****ing disaster as there is no one at the club with the football expertise to help them with anything. LCFC effectively have managers rather than head coaches. 

So does the whole of the football leagues in the UK We employer managers not coaches .

[AyewJoking]

2 hours ago, ClaphamFox said:

When Top finally decides to bury the sausage and let me back in his inner ring, I’ll let you know. 

 

[ClaphamFox]

42 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

Jon asked me to let you know that there’s only room for him in Top’s inner circle 

That punk ass bitch is full of it. 

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Will there be any extra pressure on Ciffers if Derby pump us 4-0 on Saturday?

[gurru991]

4 hours ago, Bob Weasel Fox said:

Will there be any extra pressure on Ciffers if Derby pump us 4-0 on Saturday?

Maybe just a little  !!

[Dan]

I do wonder if this technical director will be the reason we dig our heels in on Cifuentes. Just got to hope it doesn't relegate us like the same complacency did in 2022/23.

[Fox92]

On 03/12/2025 at 17:59, Lichfieldfox. said:

I'm in the don't change the manager camp. He's been sold a pup 

None of his own players. Inherited a bunch of entitled overpaid players who always quit and led by a failing board.

We need a rebuild from board to first team and beyond. January is critical and we need to get the right people in and be patient. This year is a year to stand still and stay in the championship. A year to resuscitate the club, then stabilise, then revitalise the expectation that foxes never quit.

 

I'd probably agree if I could see anything from him but I can't. Game after game it's the same players, same team, same lack of gameplan, lack of ideas, same like for like subs. 

I could continue.

Being patient with this manager isn't going to get us anywhere.

The longer we stay in the Championship, the worse it gets.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

11 hours ago, Bob Weasel Fox said:

Will there be any extra pressure on Ciffers if Derby pump us 4-0 on Saturday?

 

Erm yeah? Of course?

[stevostadium]

On 03/12/2025 at 17:07, ClaphamFox said:

We can’t appoint a new permanent manager until the new technical director and CEO are in place. Therefore we could only realistically sack Marti now if we had an interim manager at the ready who we’re confident would do a better job. And there aren’t many of those about. 

99.9% of businesses would wait until these new senior positions are filled prior to appoiting a new manager but this is Leicester 

[Kitchandro]

On 03/12/2025 at 17:43, brookfox said:

No point sacking him. He’s sandwiched between an inept board and a squad where some don’t want to be here and others think they’re too good to be here. And given the wages most are on won’t move.

 

All in feels like we need a massive reset of the board and playing squad. Only then will we be able to really judge him and know if he’s the right person. 

 

The counter is his obvious flaws; dull football, loses tactical battles, keeps playing certain players and hoping for a change. And if we do keep dropping points though we may have no choice but to gamble on a new person or L1 could be a real possibility.

Surely the second part of this proves he’s not the right person? 
 

Basically the argument for keeping him comes down to ‘might as well’ or in other words ‘cba’. It’s not like you, brookfox, has to do anything.

 

We know the manager isn’t very good and we would like a better one. Better managers exist IF our club was willing to scout them like other clubs do. Everything else is irrelevant. Most of us know the owner won’t hire anyone good but we know they won’t sell up and we know they won’t buy decent players either. 
 

I ask this a lot, but if the manager offers nothing, or managers can’t make a difference, why have a manager at all? Shouldn’t we just let these unmanageable players manage themselves? Nobody ever suggests this which I find surprising. They are so sure that managers can’t make a difference when the players are average but want the club to spend money on someone who they admit is tactically inept, unwilling to change and doesn’t provide an ounce of entertainment.

[HankMarvin]

Nothing new but

 

 

Inside Leicester City's downfall as they head towards League One: Hidden impact of looming points deduction, the Jon Rudkin dilemma, a brain drain and why there's no quick fix for squad that fans have turned on

17:00, 04 Dec 2025, updated 17:03, 04 Dec 2025 By TOM COLLOMOSSE, FOOTBALL REPORTER

 

 

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In a few short months Leicester will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the greatest moment in their history and of one of the best football stories ever told.

Their spectacular march to the 2016 Premier League title was as delightful as it was unexpected and gave hope to every club in the world that one day, they might do the same.

England’s elite have done their utmost to stop that happening again yet Leicester can blame only themselves for their alarming recent decline. If they are not careful, Leicester will be back in League One when they celebrate that unforgettable day, a decade ago.

Owners King Power have tried to move closer to the disaffected fanbase in recent times, with chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, known as ‘Khun Top’, pledging to spend more time in Leicester. Yet it will take a lot more than a few meet-and-greet sessions, however well-intentioned, to win back favour. Supporters want to see a credible plan, competently fulfilled. It is a long time since Leicester looked like delivering on either count.

It is time for Khun Top to grip the situation. There are valid reasons for his spells of absence, but for some time there has been a feeling around the club that the chairman is too distant. Some wonder whether it has been too long since he had a clear grasp of how each department works. Khun Top intends to change that now, which can be only good news.

Khun Top gave an interview to in-house channels last month when he admitted there would be no quick fix – and with Leicester 16th in the Championship, it is no wonder. Here, Daily Mail Sport looks at the challenges facing the Foxes owner.

Points deduction

Though the disciplinary hearing took place recently, Leicester have yet to learn whether they will face a points penalty for breaching financial rules in the 2023-24 season – when they were promoted back to the top flight.

Sources contacted by Daily Mail Sportexpect the penalty to fall between six and nine points, though even when the verdict is delivered, it is unlikely to be the end of the saga.

If Leicester are punished, it is reasonable to assume they will appeal. So too might the Premier League if they are unhappy with the independent panel’s decision. That could push the result back to February or even March.

Not only would that have a significant impact on Leicester’s season, but it may also affect their ability to do business in January. Having reported losses of more than £200million over the last three years, Leicester would have little room for manoeuvre in the market even without the prospect of a points penalty.

But if Leicester cannot determine whether they will be fighting for promotion, battling relegation or sitting in midtable, players will be reluctant to join them.

Jon Rudkin’s role

Khun Top appeared sincere in his interview. Though such public communication was long overdue, at least he delivered it with honesty and genuine feeling. There were none of the empty corporate phrases used by so many chief executives, that usually serve to alienate supporters rather than bring them closer.

Top has held Zoom conversations with fan groups and plans to meet them in person when he returns to Leicester from his native Thailand. Much more will be needed to restore trust, though, starting with the position of Jon Rudkin.

For nearly 12 years Rudkin has been an all-powerful director of football and, rightly or wrongly, has been identified by fans as most responsible for the current plight. As part of Khun Top’s attempts to rebuild the club, Leicester say they will hire a technical director and Rudkin will adopt a broader advisory role.

Does this mean Rudkin taking a back seat? Few would believe it. It is thought Rudkin will play a significant role in identifying the technical director, who is unlikely to join until after the January transfer window.

Leicester are also looking for a new chief executive officer and commercial director, as well as trying to fill at least one other senior position. It is hard to imagine Rudkin having no say in these appointments.

Having had such a high level of control for so long, will Rudkin really push for an experienced technical director in the mould of Kevin Thelwell, who might challenge or even marginalise him? It is possible – though the far likelier course would be to appoint a relatively junior technical director.

Keep an eye on Ben Wrigglesworth, Wolves’ highly regarded head of scouting, who used to work at Leicester.

Cifuentes – stick or twist?

When appointing Marti Cifuentes, Leicester turned their backs on Chris Wilder, which felt a curious decision. Wilder would have been prepared to challenge an over-mighty dressing room and though the clash would not have been pretty, Leicester would probably have emerged more united on the playing side.

Wilder would also have been demanding of Rudkin in a way Cifuentes might not. Was that a factor in why he was overlooked?

Cifuentes has a tough job. Fans are fed up of Harry Winks, Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard – to name three – and it is stretching credulity to think those players are thrilled still to be at Leicester. It is thought Winks set his heart on leaving during the summer and there was even chatter that their contracts might be paid up.

That always felt fanciful but the mere suggestion tells its own story. Now Cifuentes is in a tight spot. If he picks these players, as he has continued to, he angers fans and puts himself in the firing line when they make mistakes.

Yet by alienating them, he would drive down their value even further, at a time when Leicester need funds. And as every manager knows, senior players left on the margins can quickly become disruptive.

Yet Cifuentes always felt an odd appointment. Last season, his Queens Park Rangers side finished 15th in the Championship. He is a talented coach but perhaps not one who can establish authority quickly over a squad, especially one as tricky to manage as Leicester’s.

Now Cifuentes takes his team to in-form East Midlands rivals Derby on Saturday after two straight defeats, in which Leicester have gone 3-0 down both times. The Foxes insist they have faith in the Spaniard but a heavy defeat at Pride Park will surely test that.

Yet here again, it is reasonable to wonder if Rudkin moves quickly enough. In Leicester’s position, most clubs would be making discreet soundings about coaches, so they can move swiftly if they need to make a change. Are Leicester doing this? We may find out soon enough.

Shunning easy wins

Leicester’s training ground is the envy of many across Europe and they are starting to see its benefits for younger players.

They persuaded Jeremy Monga to stay at the club and reject elite clubs from across Europe. Monga is established in the first-team squad and Louis Page, Bade Aluko and Jake Evans are among those to have seen first-team action. Expect that number to grow as Leicester’s talented academy staff take them through the next steps.

During these tricky years, though, Leicester have decided against certain moves that would have been instantly popular. Title-winning captain Wes Morgan joined Nottingham Forest in a scouting role nearly two years ago. Many would argue he should be working for Leicester.

Nigel Pearson remains one of the club’s best-loved managers of recent times and is credited with building much of the squad that won the title under Claudio Ranieri.

He had an excellent relationship with Leicester’s late chairman, Khun Top’s father Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and perhaps he could have been approached as an informal consultant. To the knowledge of Daily Mail Sport, this has not happened.

Clubs cannot base strategy only on what makes fans happy. Ignoring them altogether is, however, just as foolish.

Khun Top is now trying to claw back ground he has lost with supporters – for which he has publicly taken some of the blame. Anyone who saw Khun Top’s interview would struggle to characterise him as a cold, indifferent owner. Yet he should never underestimate the value of easy wins.

January window

Fans hoping that the squad will be significantly refreshed in January are likely to be disappointed. Leicester‘s need to comply with financial rules means there is little scope for them to bring in new players unless they sell others first.

Of the current squad, only Abdul Fatawu is likely to command a significant fee and even then, it is doubtful that top-flight clubs would pay the sort of fee that Leicester would demand for one of their best players.

This is why Khun Top did well to say there is no quick fix. The time for moving on unwanted players seems to have passed because there is little market for the likes of Winks, Faes or Vestergaard and the only option available therefore is to wait until these players are out of contract and their wages are off the books. Hopefully when that happens, Leicester will still at least be a Championship club.

The hierarchy know that repeating the glory days of 2016, or even the FA Cup victory five years later, is a near impossible task in the short to medium term. But at least if they can stabilise things fans can start to dream again – however cautiously.