Leicester have appointed Gary Rowett as their manager until the end of the season, with the club’s chairman saying the Foxes are “in a fight for survival” in the Championship.
Former Foxes midfielder Rowett had been out of work since leaving Oxford United in December but comes in with Leicester languishing in the Championship relegation zone, having been hit with a six-point deduction for breaching PSR rules.
The former Premier League champions are on a dismal run of just two wins from their last 11 Championship fixtures, a streak which includes eight defeats and has left them third-bottom in the standings, two points from safety.
Leicester sacked Marti Cifuentes in January and coach Andy King has been in interim charge for the last four matches, including Saturday’s FA Cup exit to Southampton and an incredible 4-3 turnaround loss to the same opponents last week.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship game between Leicester City and Southampton.
Rowett will be joined by Callum Davidson as his assistant manager.
Rowett aiming to build ‘connections’ with players and fans
Speaking at his unveiling, Rowett said: “I’m really proud to be the new Leicester City manager and to have the opportunity to work with and lead a really talented group over the coming months.
“It’s very clear to us all what needs to be achieved between now and the end of the season and the work begins immediately. I’m looking forward to building connections with the players, with the staff at the club and with the fans – all of which will be vital to helping us secure the results we need.”
Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: “Gary is a manager with deep knowledge of the Championship and experience of the situation we now face in these final 14 games of the season – a fight for survival in the division. It is a task on which the entire club is focused, and we will provide Gary with every support to help us find the solutions we need.
“I’m grateful to Andy King for the professionalism and dedication with which he has prepared the team for recent matches in challenging circumstances. Together with the current group of first team staff, he will remain a valued part of our coaching team, providing important continuity from which Gary and Callum can help to build.”
Rowett move displays Leicester’s current plight
Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam:
“It shows how things have changed at Leicester City that they are turning to Gary Rowett to save them from plunging into League One.
“And it shows where the Foxes are that it has taken nearly four weeks to make this appointment after sacking Marti Cifuentes.
“The situation is bleak. Rowett knows the Championship well, but naysayers will look to the fact his last two jobs have seen him end with Birmingham relegated from the second tier in 2024 (albeit on an interim basis after just eight games in charge) and with Oxford in the drop zone in December.
“Maybe it’ll be the whip-up that Leicester need. Rowett rarely wins plaudits for the style of his teams, but they are rarely lacking in endeavour – which is something the Foxes have sorely lacked this season.
“It is a squad that should be nowhere near the relegation zone, even with the six-point deduction. If Rowett can get them running again, and end this dismal run, they really still ought to be fine.”
