Leicester Owner Searches for 'Big Name' Replacement for Manager Craig Shakespeare
Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare was dismissed by owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in the hope of securing a 'big name' replacement, it has been reported.
The Foxes reportedly have no immediate replacement lined up and will now embark on a mid-season search for a new coach, according to the Telegraph
Shakespeare was sacked with Leicester sitting in 18th place with six points from eight games, and just seven months after he replaced Premier League winning coach Claudio Ranieri.
Srivaddhanaprabha is now targeting a high profile manager and is reluctant to again appoint from within the club.
Carlo Ancelotti, who was dismissed by Bayern Munich last month, is believed to be looking for a bigger club, while the likes of current Premier League bosses David Wagner, Sean Dyche and Marco Silva are all unlikely to be prised away from their respective clubs.
The report claims that a potential return to management for Sam Allardyce "cannot be discounted", but Nigel Pearson, now in charge of Belgian club OH Leuven, will not be brought back.
In a statement on the club website, Srivaddhanaprabha's son and vice-chairman Aiyawatt, said: “Craig has been a great servant to Leicester City – during his spells as an assistant manager and since taking over as manager in challenging circumstances in February.
"His dedication to the club and to his work has been absolute and the contribution he made to the most successful period in Leicester City history is considerable.
“However, our early promise under Craig’s management has not been consistently evident in the months since and the board feels that, regrettably, a change is necessary to keep the club moving forward – consistent with the long-term expectations of our supporters, board and owners.
"Craig is and will remain a very popular, respected figure at Leicester City and will be welcome back at King Power stadium in future, both professionally and as a friend of the club.”
