JibrinHow near Jimmy Thelin came to overcoming Gary Rowett in the race for the Leicester City job
A new report has surfaced indicating that Gary Rowett has edged out the likes of former Aberdeen boss, Jimmy Thelin, in the contest to become the next figure in the Leicester City dugout.
That is according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider via X, with the journalist sharing the update on Tuesday evening, as the Foxes are poised to announce the appointment of Rowett following an extended managerial hunt, one that has proven hugely exasperating for fans in this part of the East Midlands.
It has been nearly a month since Leicester parted ways with Marti Cifuentes after their woeful display and 2-1 loss to Oxford United at the King Power Stadium on January 24th, and the club’s fortunes have deteriorated further under the caretaker stewardship of Andy King.
Leicester have contested four Championship and FA Cup fixtures since the Spaniard’s departure – which occurred less than 24 hours after the aforementioned defeat to Oxford – and have endured losses in all of those matches, including successive defeats in league and cup to Southampton across the past week.
The Foxes have also discovered their punishment in relation to a forthcoming points deduction, as they were hit with a six-point penalty on February 5th by the EFL due to alleged PSR violations.
This situation, combined with a dreadful run of results – as Leicester are winless in the Championship since January 5th against West Bromwich Albion – has left a first drop to League One since 2009 a genuine threat, with the Blues now inside the second-tier relegation zone by two points, holding 32 points from the same number of games played.
Therefore, the primary objective for Rowett, who is expected to be confirmed as manager on a short-term deal, is straightforward: to preserve his former club’s Championship status.
However, it seems the 51-year-old may not have been the leading contender in the King Power’s managerial search, despite being strongly associated with the vacancy throughout the saga.
Gary Rowett has beaten former Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin to Leicester City managerial role
Whilst official confirmation of Rowett’s imminent appointment is still pending, it was reported by John Percy of the Telegraph on Monday that the former Birmingham City boss was engaged in advanced discussions with Leicester regarding the prospect of taking charge at least until the conclusion of the season.
This update follows the former left-back emerging as one of the club’s earliest potential options alongside Hearts boss, Derek McInnes, before it became widely suggested that Leicester were locked in a tussle with divisional and relegation rivals, Blackburn Rovers, for his signature.
Rovers have since announced the appointment of Michael O’Neill in a dual capacity as he balances duties at Ewood Park with his ambition of guiding Northern Ireland to the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, with an initial play-off semi-final against Italy scheduled for next month.
Consequently, Leicester appeared to have been presented with a straightforward route toward Rowett’s arrival, although Leicestershire Live have stated that the seasoned coach may not have been the preferred option, adding that Cifuentes was dismissed without a defined succession strategy in place.
O’Rourke has subsequently claimed that Rowett is edging closer to assuming the position, although the aforementioned Thelin progressed to the final phase of the process and had engaged in talks with the Leicester hierarchy about a switch to the King Power.
This arrives less than two months after the Swede was relieved of his duties at Pittodrie, where he secured 34 victories from 80 matches in charge while also guiding the Dons to their 2025 Scottish Cup success over Celtic.
Leicester City supporters will be pleased with eventual clarity on managerial situation
Rowett, of course, possesses a varied track record at Championship level, having most recently been dismissed by Oxford on December 23rd before the U’s opted to install Matt Bloomfield.
As such, news of his anticipated appointment has divided opinion among an already split fanbase, who, in some respects, will also feel reassured that long-awaited certainty is finally emerging regarding their club’s predicament.
Rowett will have 14 fixtures to secure short-term survival with the Foxes, a side currently lacking belief and momentum, both of which must be restored swiftly, beginning with Saturday’s visit to Stoke City.
Jibrin
