Leicester close in on appointing Marti Cifuentes as new head coach – reports
The ex-QPR boss will take over from Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Midlands.
Leicester City are on the verge of confirming Marti Cifuentes as their new manager, according to reports.
The Foxes have undertaken an extensive recruitment process that included interviews with Gary O’Neil and Chris Wilder.
The club also considered Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl and former Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick for the position.
Cifuentes, who officially departed QPR last month after being placed on gardening leave in April, is expected to succeed Ruud van Nistelrooy at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester are likely to pay compensation to secure the Spaniard’s services.
There’s also a possibility that QPR assistant Xavi Calm, who worked alongside Cifuentes at Loftus Road, will join him as part of the new coaching setup.
Marti Cifuentes has verbally agreed a deal to become Leicester's new head coach 🚨
Further talks progressed well today, Sky Sports News has been told, and Cifuentes could be confirmed in the role before the weekend 🔵 pic.twitter.com/KQsHHQzZjl
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 9, 2025
The 43-year-old took charge of QPR in October 2023, stepping in when the club was sitting second from bottom in the Championship.
He managed to guide them to safety, finishing 18th by the end of the season.
Leicester parted ways with Van Nistelrooy in June after a poor spell that saw the former striker win just five out of 27 matches.
His short tenure ended in relegation from the Premier League. By making the managerial change before the new financial year, the club can include the severance package in next year’s accounts — a move that helps with their ongoing efforts to stay within Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Cifuentes will become Leicester’s sixth managerial appointment in just over two years, as the club braces for a challenging season in the Championship.
They may also face a points deduction after being charged with a PSR breach.