Why Leicester City hierarchy are yet to part ways with Ruud van Nistelrooy as Russell Martin update emerges
Leicester City are expected to change manager ahead of 2025/26 and the reason for the hold-up has now been shared.
Russell Martin has been tipped as the favourite to become the Foxes’ new boss for some time now.
It comes after Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took over in November 2024, was unable to prevent Leicester City from being relegated from the Premier League.
Van Nistelrooy made a presentation to Leicester’s hierarchy recently, but that has not been enough to keep his job, it seems.
It was thought that Leicester and Martin have already agreed terms, and the manager is now just waiting on the club to complete the appointment.
Why Leicester City are yet to part with Ruud van Nistelrooy
Leicester face a minimum 12-point deduction going into the 2025/26 season amid another charge from the Premier League.
The Midlands outfit have already escaped two charges, but a double-figure punishment would be a big blow to their chances of winning promotion from the Championship.
Leicester’s owner sent a warning to players about the financial implications of sacking Van Nistelrooy during the 2024/25 season.
Now, The Athletic have shared an insight into why the Dutchman is yet to be relieved of his duties.
They reported that Leicester could be waiting until the end of the 2024/25 financial year to make a managerial change.
The reason for this is so that the cost would be in the following financial year, rather than the current, which ends in June.
This would help with the club’s ongoing PSR problems, which, as already mentioned, could cost them at least 12 points.
Leicester City transfer budget
Whoever the manager is come the start of 2025/26, they are expected to have been given a healthy transfer budget.
This comes with EFL Analysis learning recently that Leicester shouldn’t be forced to sell any players this summer despite their ongoing financial problems.
In terms of potential transfers, a Jamie Vardy replacement is now needed following the striker’s decision to leave at the end of his contract.
Meanwhile, Martin is now expected to join Rangers shortly, leaving the Foxes with one less potential replacement for Ruud.
Bristol City identify Liam Manning successor, he’s been out of work since January
Bristol City are officially managerless after Liam Manning made his long-awaited move to Norwich City on Tuesday, signing a four-year contract at Carrow Road.
After what has felt like weeks of negotiations, the Canaries were able to entice the 39-year-old away from the West Country as the Norfolk outfit prepare for a big summer transfer window.
Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, was delighted with Manning’s appointment and their full focus will be on replicating Bristol City’s top six finish as they look to return to the Premier League following relegation in 2022.
There have been several shouts for the Robins’ next manager, but they look to have finally settled on their successor to the new Canaries boss and it is a name familiar to the Championship.
Bristol City prepare to hire Rob Edwards
Now that Manning has departed, Bristol City can officially start to look for a replacement, but it is clear that this has been happening in the background and a decision looks to have been made already.
The Stroud Times have reported that former Luton Town head coach, Rob Edwards, will take charge at Ashton Gate ahead of next season. With the transfer window already open, this will be a timely appointment.
Edwards took over the Hatters in November 2022, a campaign that ended in fantastic scenes as the Bedfordshire outfit were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs.
They lasted just one season in the top flight, and the fallout from relegation was felt greatly. Edwards was sacked by Luton in January with his former club in the drop zone, and Matt Bloomfield was unable to save the Hatters, who line up in League One ahead of the new season.
Rob Edwards is an exciting appointment for the Robins
Stopping players from following Manning to Norwich will be one of Edwards’ first tasks when he does arrive in Bristol, but he knows all about winning promotion.
He had success in the area with Forest Green Rovers in 2021, winning the League Two title as the Nailsworth side reached League One to face the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Derby County and Portsmouth.
Now his task is to rejuvenate a side that will still be hurting from their big play-off defeat to Sheffield United. He has plenty of talent already in the team, with Scott Twine and Jason Knight two of the leading examples of quality.
With exciting, quick football on the horizon once again, it would not be a surprise to see Bristol City challenging the top six once again.
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