Claude Puel paid the price for a heavy home defeat to Crystal Palace as Leicester City axed their French manager following the 4-1 loss.
There’s a lively betting market on his successor at the King Power Stadium headed by Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers. The Bhoys manager has enjoyed a trophy laden spell at Parkhead since joining the Glasgow giants in 2016.
Rodgers is rated the most likely next Leicester manager at 6/4 with William Hill, but would be leaving a relatively cushy job for something of a poisoned chalice.
Expectations in the King Power boardroom are high, even if Foxes fans are more realistic about the against all odds Premier League title triumph under Claudio Ranieri.
It was something of a fluke. Ranieri proved a victim of his own success when sacked the following season. Rodgers may prefer to be a big fish in a small pond and stay at Celtic.
Wagner a more interesting candidate
David Wagner is out of work following his departure from Huddersfield Town. The German coach, who was on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s staff at Borussia Dortmund, worked wonders just to get the Terriers into the Premier League and keep them there last term.
A classic case of second season syndrome at the John Smith’s Stadium followed. That is not a blot on Wagner’s copybook, however, given the shock nature of getting Huddersfield promoted.
His progressive methods and previous achievements make him a credible alternative in the next Leicester manager betting at 11/2 with Betfair.
Rafa Benitez is out of contract at Newcastle United come the end of the season, but the Spaniard was able to get his man when funds were freed up in the winter window to pluck Paraguay playmaker Miguel Almiron from the MLS.
That rare loosening of the purse-strings from wantaway owner Mike Ashley gives Benitez, who is 8/1 with William Hill for the Foxes job, incentive to stay up on Tyneside.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is the same price as compatriot Benitez, but like Rodgers is solid enough in his own position.
Lennon a former Foxes playing favourite
Neil Lennon, meanwhile, is as big as 14/1 with betway to be next Leicester manager and was part of the dual League Cup winning vintage under Martin O’Neill as a player.
After recently leaving Hibernian, Lennon is available and would certainly be a popular appointment with Foxes fans if he wants a swift return to the dugout.
Those names apart, former Leicester assistant Michael Appleton is also 14/1 with Paddy Power to return to the East Midlands outfit after serving as number two to Craig Shakespeare.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has ties to the error for all it’s hard to see him leaving Turf Moor as he’s one of the longest-serving managers in English league football.
Big prices are available on the remainder with the likes of former Foxes boss Nigel Pearson, Sam Allardyce and David Moyes all out of work.
