‎Leicester’s next Manager: Leading names to replace Gary Rowett revealed

Gary Rowett’s time as Leicester manager is set to end after Saturday’s trip to Blackburn, and the expectation is that the club will move quickly to appoint a successor this time aiming to get the decision right from the outset.

There had been support for bringing Rowett in as a short-term solution. He inherited a difficult situation, including a six-point deduction almost immediately, but still managed to steady the side compared to the struggles seen under Marti Cifuentes and interim boss Andy King.

Now, as Leicester search for a permanent replacement, many of the same managerial names have resurfaced from previous discussions. However, this appointment is expected to be more long-term, even if the shortlist itself feels somewhat uninspiring though a few options remain intriguing.

Will Still is among the standout candidates. Despite being dismissed by Southampton last November following a poor run, he was once regarded as one of the game’s brightest young coaches. Interestingly, under his assistant Tonda Eckert, the same team quickly transformed into play-off contenders.

Chris Davies is another name in the frame after leading Birmingham City to promotion last season. However, his current position appears uncertain, with pressure mounting and doubts over whether he has the experience required for another promotion push in the Championship.

The inclusion of Russell Martin near the top of the list has raised concerns. While respected for his philosophy, his strong emphasis on possession football coupled with underwhelming spells at Southampton and Rangers makes him a questionable fit.

Former Leicester coach Brian Barry-Murphy has impressed with Cardiff City, but a return to the club appears unlikely. Meanwhile, names like Dave Challinor, Alex Revell, and Michael Skubala have also been mentioned, though their experience at clubs such as Stockport County, Stevenage, and Lincoln City raises doubts about their readiness for a role of Leicester’s scale.

Elsewhere, Kevin Muscat currently working in China has been linked, alongside Patrick Kisnorbo and Liam Rosenior.

More experienced figures like Nigel Pearson and Roy Hodgson could also be considered, but a return to familiar names may not be the direction the club wants to take, especially given mixed outcomes in their more recent roles.

At this stage, Still appears the most compelling option, with Davies also emerging as a candidate worth serious consideration.