Leicester City are on the verge of appointing former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith as they look to battle the drop in the final few games of the season.
The Foxes parted ways with Brendan Rodgers following a defeat to Crystal Palace, which left them in the relegation zone in the latest episode of a torrid season.
They currently sit 19th in the top-flight, two points outside of safety but with a vastly superior goal difference to most of the sides around them. On 25 points, they need to take 15 points from their last 9 games to reach the magical 40 point mark that usually represents safety in the Premier League.
It had been reported that a move for Jesse Marsch was in the works, with the Telegraph even reporting on Saturday that ‘an agreement [is] expected in the next 24 hours’ with the US coach.
However, that has since broken down, with the two parties unable to agree on the finer details of a contract, which has left the Foxes looking elsewhere.
And there had been reports that they had identified Rafa Benitez as that man, but according to the Athletic, the Foxes are instead in ‘advanced talks’ with Dean Smith over their managerial vacancy, with the former Villa boss set to bring a steadying hand to proceedings.
Leicester City travel to Premier League champions Manchester City this weekend, looking to end a run of seven defeats in their last eight games against the side 2nd in the top flight.
