Leicester City next manager: New favourite emerges in shock development
Leicester City are working on appointing a new manager after the sacking of Marti Cifuentes.
Following Leicester’s six-point deduction, they are in a battle for survival, with the East Midlands club only above the drop zone on goal difference.
The Foxes’ 4-3 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday only exposed their lack of quality further as they squandered a three-goal lead at the King Power Stadium.
With the club in need of a manager more than ever, Ralph Hasenhuttl has now emerged as a shock favourite for the job.
Defeat to Southampton.#LEISOU | @BCGame pic.twitter.com/VeAQVDKIwC
— Leicester City (@LCFC) February 10, 2026
Ralph Hasenhuttl 2/1 to take Leicester City job
Leicester have been linked to numerous managers since Cifuentes’ sacking. However, Hasenhuttl was not at the forefront of the list.
The former Southampton boss has been out of work since May, when he was sacked as the manager of Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
Since then, while Hasenhuttl has been linked with a return to England, a move is yet to transpire.
However, one bookmaker has now made the 58-year-old the favourite to take over at the King Power Stadium at 2/1.
Ralph Hasenhuttl was appointed Southampton boss on this day in 2018.
— Saints Analysis (@saints_analysis) December 5, 2023
When I think about what he gave Saints, I look back at this game.
He woke our club up with high energy football and enthusiasm on the touchline. His best days were great #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/Fti8UIPeLd
This is no doubt a shock development, with Oddschecker on 11 February confirming that his odds have been slashed.
Who else is in the running for the Leicester City job?
Following Hasenhuttl, the second favourite for the role is currently Gary Rowett at 5/1.
The former Oxford United manager oversaw the U’s survival in the Championship last campaign, with a comfortable lower mid-table finish.
Russell Martin and Dean Smith both remain in the mix at 6/1.
Martin has not taken charge of a club since he was sacked at Rangers in October. However, despite these shortcomings, he is still highly rated in the Championship due to his promotion with Southampton.
Whereas Smith is currently at MLS side Charlotte FC, a position he has held since 2023.
His last role in England was at the Foxes as he proved unable to steer the East Midlands club away from relegation in the 2022-23 campaign.
A potential outsider is Steven Gerrard at 10/1. While the Liverpool legend has been linked to numerous roles since leaving Saudi Arabia, he is yet to return to the dugout as he looks for a route back into management.