Sources: Marti Cifuentes edges closer to Leicester City sack
Marti Cifuentes could be set for the sack at Leicester City should his side fail to beat Derby County on Saturday.
Sources have told Football Insider that Leicester are seriously considering firing Cifuentes, with the Foxes 16th in the Championship following a wretched start to the campaign.
The East Midlands club hoped to strive for instant promotion back to the Premier League following last season’s relegation, but a nine-point deficit to second-place Middlesbrough continues to grow.
Cifuentes is the odds-on favourite to be sacked next in the Championship, with decision-makers at the King Power Stadium rapidly losing patience.
Russell Martin is among those touted to take over at Leicester if the Spaniard is shown the door, with the Englishman available after he was sacked by Rangers in October.
Marti Cifuentes under big pressure ahead of key Derby clash
Leicester sacked Ruud van Nistelrooy in June, after the Dutchman had failed to avert the crisis left by Steve Cooper.
The Foxes had shown the most fight of the three clubs relegated from the Premier League, but ultimately came up 13 points short in their hopes of survival.
| Marti Cifuentes | Leicester City |
| Wins | 6 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Scored | 22 |
| Conceded | 23 |
Cifuentes was chosen as the man to replace Van Nistelrooy, after the Spaniard had left QPR by mutual consent.
The 43-year-old enjoyed a strong stint at Loftus Road, but departed when reports emerged of the manager attempting to look elsewhere.
His time at Leicester has been anything but strong so far, however. The Spaniard’s side have won just six Championship games this season, and lost in consecutive games to Southampton and Sheffield United last week.
A third consecutive loss would appear to mark a final straw for Leicester bosses, with the trip to 11th-placed Derby vital for Cifuentes’ future.
Lee Hendrie exercises caution on Cifuentes sack
Cifuentes will be aware, more than anyone, that results must pick up at Leicester. The Foxes are already falling behind in the race for the play-offs, and could be sucked into a relegation battle if they are not careful.
But Lee Hendrie believes that the Spaniard deserves slightly more time. “I think that Leicester will know that they’ve got quality in the squad, and it’s not good enough at the moment, but I think they have to stick with him,” the former Fox told Football League World.
“They have got a talented squad, but I do feel that sticking with the process and, you know, he has shown signs that they can get, and they will get results.
“But, I just think that the situation they’re in, I think they might have to stick with him as well. And I think it will come through.”