Yahoo News ‘Struggle to see it’ - Our writers disagree on Leicester City’s next manager
Leicester City’s manager pursuit is into its second week and there’s not been a shortage of names linked to the job.
Graham Potter, Steve Cooper, David Moyes, Carlos Corberan, Oscar Garcia, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ruud van Nistelrooy. The list goes on. But who is the standout candidate? Who would be the best man to take the reins left behind by Enzo Maresca and steer City to survival?
Here, three LeicestershireLive writers have their say, making the case for their preferred arrival. You can tell us your pick in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
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Brian Dick
The prevailing narrative is that Graham Potter is City’s top choice, a stance invariably followed by the suggestion the 49-year-old wants to get back into the game further up the pyramid. Indeed Potter’s name has been associated with the likes of Manchester United, Brighton and Ajax in recent weeks. He could even be waiting to see what becomes of England and Gareth Southgate over the next month.
Whether any of that implied superiority complex is true or not, only Potter himself knows. However, I don’t think he should rule City out of his thinking – and nor should City be shy of targeting a coach who has arguably the highest pedigree of those with recent Premier League experience currently out of work.
The ‘out of work’ factor is relevant here, clearly appointing Potter would not only be a high profile move in its own right, doing so without having to pay compensation to another club is relevant to the Foxes’ current financial situation.
But more relevant would be the congruity Potters shares with Maresca’s playing style, a possession-based, patient building from the back strategy that requires footballers of a similar skillset. The danger in departing from Maresca’s philosophy is that it potentially requires a different profile of player. Retaining as much consistency in terms of tactics and recruitment is only going to help City’s prospects of staying in the Premier League.
Potter shouldn’t consider himself above that, he should consider it an opportunity to add another positive entry to his already impressive CV.
Josh Holland
Leicester City still have time to appoint their next head coach but a week has passed since Enzo Maresca’s departure yet there seems to be little movement in replacing him.
The list of names linked with the vacancy but my preferred target would be Steve Cooper. His connection to Nottingham Forest has been a sticky point to many supporters but I will gently remind you of Martin O’Neil and Wes Morgan.
The job he did in the Premier League with Forest was impressive and his football can be easy on the eye with a fast and energetic style of play. His job will be to keep the club in the top flight but the key point that makes Cooper so attractive is the insurance he provides in the Championship - should they be relegated.
Leicester are already favourites to go straight back down and the looming points deduction means the job for the imminent head coach is a tough one. Cooper would arrive with the experience of fighting at the bottom of the table and leading his team to narrow victories with clean sheets.
Potter is another tempting option but the fact he has turned the club down before, as well as the prospect of the England job becoming available in July, I just struggle to see it.
Whoever is appointed will be aware of the likelihood of relegation and they have to be able to adapt to the Championship, should the worst happen.
Jordan Blackwell
Leicester City are admittedly not the most attractive a Premier League side has ever been. Likely points deductions and players sales, plus the knowledge that the last three promoted clubs went straight back down with a whimper, means that whoever takes charge will be aware of the relegation battle they are entering into.
But despite all that, it is a managerial job in the biggest league in the world. There are only 20 going at once. City should be able to find a candidate who is eager to take on that challenge.
That’s why West Brom’s Carlos Corberan stands out. With the other names on the shortlist, there is a slight sense they would be settling for City because they’ve been unable to get a Premier League gig elsewhere.
For Corberan, it would be a first opportunity to show what he can do as a Premier League manager. And his few seasons with Huddersfield and the Baggies show he is a very capable pair of hands and can get plenty out of the squads at his disposal. Yes, he's untested at the top level, but it feels like he’s earned a call-up.
Tactically, it seems he is adaptable. He is from the Pep Guardiola school of thinking, like Enzo Maresca, but he also learned a lot of what he knows under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, who had that exciting, frantic edge to them when they first came up to the Premier League. Those influences, and his willingness to not be wedded to any particular style, make him an excellent choice.
Corberan’s diligence in scouting the opposition should go down well with a City squad who were impressed by Maresca’s commitment in preparation. Plus, the numbers suggest West Brom were very good at attacking and defending set-pieces last season, and that’s an area City require desperate improvement in.
Yes, Corberan would cost a fee, but even at, say, £4m in compensation, that’s very little in comparison to the money spent on players, and is less than half of what City received for Maresca. I feel Graham Potter and Steve Cooper would be very good appointments too, but Corberan just edges it for me.
