Football Operations Revamp - Hiring Technical Director, CEO, and Commercial Director - Rudkin moving 'upstairs'

[Aleksz]

6 minutes ago, Patrick said:

So a young scout who previously worked under Jon Rudkin before doing a shit job at Arsenal and Wolves is the man who is apparently going to save the club. Of course the KPFC cult will lap it all up.

Most technical directors start as scouts/recruitment analysts and have to start somewhere. 
 

Anyone that expected it was going to be anything other than someone young, inexperienced that wouldn’t stand up to much to the hierarchy… was burying their head in the sand unfortunately.

 

You’re right that KPFC cult will lap it up though. 

[Wink84]

Of course its going to be a yes man. It will just be someone to shield the blame from Rudkin to this person. 

[1972 Fox]

11 minutes ago, Aleksz said:

someone young, inexperienced that wouldn’t stand up to much to the hierarchy… was burying their head in the sand unfortunately.

 

You’re right that KPFC cult will lap it up though.

Ostriches, the lot of 'em, I tell ya

[ClaphamFox]

Does the article contain anything else that’s interesting apart from the Wrigglesorth rumour? Collomose is a bit more informed than most…

[lanefox]

Wasn't Mr Bigglesworth one of the first scouts to leave after we won the title

[mod hero]

22 minutes ago, lanefox said:

Wasn't Mr Bigglesworth one of the first scouts to leave after we won the title

I remember the day I pleasured myself to an image of Mrs Buttersworth. She got me there like an express A train.

Bing Bang Boom.

 

 

[l444ry]

On 29/11/2025 at 16:30, Globalfox said:

Lee. Carsley being shown around pre-game, sat on his own several rows behind the leadership ne Technical Director?

Was sat with someone and nearer the back of the Directors Box than the front. 

[Aleksz]

53 minutes ago, 1972 Fox said:

Ostriches, the lot of 'em, I tell ya

Glad it wasn’t lost on anyone else, had him in my head as I wrote it 

[LCFCJohn]

1 hour ago, Wink84 said:

Of course its going to be a yes man. It will just be someone to shield the blame from Rudkin to this person. 

This. Anyone who thinks it is genuine change is delusional. Like you say, Rudkin will still be calling the shots but they have realised they need a scapegoat to deflect blame to.

[Richard]

On 14/11/2025 at 16:56, Richard said:

One of the old boys who moved on to better things to come back and step up? Rob Mckenzie or Mladen Sormaz perhaps 

Got the names wrong but saw this coming

[jonny_wright]

3 hours ago, Aleksz said:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15352981/Leicester-City-League-One-points-deduction-Rudkin.html
 

Tom Collomosse name checks Ben Wrigglesworth as one to keep an eye on for the Technical Director role, just as I did about 10 pages ago 

 

Also mentions they probably won’t be in position until after Jan window. 

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.

If they are not careful, Leicester will be back in League One when they celebrate that unforgettable day they won the league a decade ago

The Foxes are 16th in the Championship, having lost their last two. A points deduction would only heighten their worries

Owners King Power have tried to move closer to the disaffected fanbase in recent times, with chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (centre) pledging to spend more time in Leicester

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 Sport expect 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.

Leicester are seven points above the drop zone as things stand and cannot afford to take too big a hit in when they are punished for their financial breaches

And 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.

All-powerful director of football Jon Rudkin (left) with Khun Top

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.

Marti 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

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.

Leicester’s training ground is the envy of many across Europe and they are starting to see its benefits. They persuaded Jeremy Monga (left) to stay at the club and reject elite clubs

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

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.

Edited 4 December 2025 by jonny_wright

[South Shire Fox]

Its going to be someone from a failing club. The people at this club do not have the ideas or determination to pinch someone who has actually done a great job in a clubs upward trajectory. If they give it that Wolves bloke or the Rangers one who has been horrific at 2 plus clubs then that says it all. I mean look at the state those two clubs are in? They are not interested in changing the culture of this club. Its run of the mill/samey samey

Edited 5 December 2025 by South Shire Fox

[davieG]

Who would want to come and be a Technical Director in name only. I'd imagine someone of that stature at any other club would be reporting to the CEO or owner not some inbetweenee who has the owners ear.

[Pita]

15 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Its going to be someone from a failing club. The people at this club do not have the ideas or determination to pinch someone who has actually done a great job in a clubs upward trajectory. If they give it that Wolves bloke or the Rangers one who has been horrific at 2 plus clubs then that says it all. They are not interested in changing the culture of this club. Its run of the mill/samey samey

It’s going to be a Rudkin muppet that he can control 

[C.J]

So we're looking a someone from Wolves? He's doing such a great job there isn't he!

Jesus wept 

[CosbehFox]

Nearly a month from the article/interview. 

 

Now if we say that anyone any decent has a three month notice....that means any decision to change it up was within September - you couldn't write how incompetent them pair at running this football club. 

[Plastik Man]

On 04/12/2025 at 20:23, mod hero said:

I remember the day I pleasured myself to an image of Mrs Buttersworth. She got me there like an express A train.

Bing Bang Boom.

 

 

Mrs Batterworth surely? 

[Tommy G]

52 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Nearly a month from the article/interview. 

 

Now if we say that anyone any decent has a three month notice....that means any decision to change it up was within September - you couldn't write how incompetent them pair at running this football club. 

Too shorter window - 3 months is also a short notice period 

[Tommy G]

On 05/12/2025 at 13:40, South Shire Fox said:

Its going to be someone from a failing club. The people at this club do not have the ideas or determination to pinch someone who has actually done a great job in a clubs upward trajectory. If they give it that Wolves bloke or the Rangers one who has been horrific at 2 plus clubs then that says it all. I mean look at the state those two clubs are in? They are not interested in changing the culture of this club. Its run of the mill/samey samey

Why would you join us from a successful club? 

[South Shire Fox]

Just now, Tommy G said:

Why would you join us from a successful club? 

Successful as in their club has been on an upward trajectory so could be from a smaller club in the Championship or League one

[mod hero]

1 hour ago, Plastik Man said:

Mrs Batterworth surely? 

Talk about a river of ejaculate 

[TheGoldenGod]

3 minutes ago, mod hero said:

Talk about a river of ejaculate 

DOOOO IIII AMUSE YOUUUUU?

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, Tommy G said:

Too shorter window - 3 months is also a short notice period 

Let’s say six then. 
 

It’s no better - anyone hired now is working effectively on season 26/27

[Lesta Legend]

3 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

Nearly a month from the article/interview. 

 

Now if we say that anyone any decent has a three month notice....that means any decision to change it up was within September - you couldn't write how incompetent them pair at running this football club. 

It's not a surprise really, it's the standard slow pace with the outcome (usually shite) usually not corresponding with the time they take to finalise anything.

 

The timing was clearly a reaction to quell the unrest, they're now probably only at brainstorming stage with their favoured agency. No doubt Top will be mesmerised by a good PowerPoint presentation and that'll be the person we appoint.

Edited 10 December 2025 by Lesta Legend

[AjcW]

22 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Let’s say six then. 
 

It’s no better - anyone hired now is working effectively on season 26/27

Let's hope we're hiring Lee Gwan then!