In an effort to save the team from being relegated, Leicester City is in talks with Dean Smith, the former manager of Aston Villa and Norwich, about a short-term contract.
After speaking with several contenders for the open position, including former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, it’s reported that Smith is Leicester’s first choice, and negotiations for a contract through the summer are going well.
Smith, who guided Villa to the Premier League in 2019, was fired from his position as manager of Norwich in December following a Boxing Day loss to Luton in the Championship.
Craig Shakespeare, a previous Leicester favourite, may possibly return as Smith’s assistant as part of the arrangement to move him to the King Power Stadium.
Shakespeare was a member of Claudio Ranieri’s coaching staff when Leicester won the Premier League championship in 2016 and took over as manager after Ranieri was fired a year later.
Following Brendan Rodgers’ departure at the beginning of the month, Jesse Marsch was in the early stages of negotiations with Leicester about a prospective contract to take over as manager.
The American manager was one of several candidates Leicester had spoken to regarding the opening at the King Power Stadium, but he won’t be hired, either temporarily or permanently.
Leicester’s aim right now is to hire a manager who can lead the squad, at least temporarily, until the conclusion of the season and escape the relegation zone, as a result of the side’s two Premier League losses after Rodgers’ firing.
