Leicester City manager contenders including Sam Allardyce and Roberto Mancini


We look at the contenders to be the next Leicester manager following Craig Shakespeare's dismissal.

Shakespeare has paid the price for just one win from the Foxes' first eight games of the season, leaving the third from bottom, although they have faced four of last season's top six already.

However, the decision comes as little surprise given the club's decision to part ways with Claudio Ranieri after he defied odds of 5,000/1 to land the Premier League title.

Here's how the odds look on the next Leicester manager...

Sean Dyche - 11/4 with Sky Bet

The Burnley boss is the big mover in the market, having been backed in from 12/1 to favouritism on Wednesday in what remains a wide-open market. Has earned plenty of plaudits for his success in guiding Burnley to the top flight and establishing the Lancashire club there.

Burnley have already earned draws against Spurs at Wembley and Liverpool at Anfield to go with victory at Goodison and currently sit seventh in the table - above Liverpool.

Whether Dyche could be tempted to leave a secure job in the north-west for Leicester remains to be seen.

Chris Coleman - 3/1 with Sky Bet

Chris Coleman's future as Wales manager is under scrutiny following their failure to qualify for the World Cup, making him the natural link for any high-profile position.

The suggestions are that the Welsh FA are keen to retain his services, with plenty of credit still owed from their semi-final run at Euro 2016, but it remains to be seen whether the 47-year-old wants to extend his stay.

With a contract expiring at the end of the qualifying campaign, the proposition of taking charge of an established Premier League club is bad news for those who hope he will stay on.

Plenty clearly see it as an opportunity too good to turn down, with his price immediately backed in from 8/1 to second favourite.

Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman

Sam Allardyce - 7/1 with Sky Bet

It would not be a conversation about contenders to turn around the fortunes of a relegation-threatened side without Sam Allardyce.

He's had a rollercoaster ride in the early betting, backed in from 8/1 to as short as 7/4 on Tuesday before drifting right back to 7/1 on Wednesday..

After his unceremonious England exit, the 62-year-old made Crystal Palace his latest project, successfully steering them to safety, an achievement that looks all the more impressive given they lost eight of their 10 games before he took charge and then seven of the eight following his departure.

Allardyce boasts almost two decades worth of experience managing in the Premier League, with spells at Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland, and has never faced the drop.

Nacer Chadli and West Brom celebrate
Nacer Chadli and West Brom celebrate after scoring against Leicester

Michael Appleton - 10/1 with Sky Bet

If Leicester decide to hand another chance to an assistant manager then they can do so this time with a candidate who actually has managerial experience.

Michael Appleton took charge of Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn and Oxford before taking the supporting role at the King Power Stadium, dealing with his fair share of challenging situations on the way.

While the owners may lack patience, Appleton will certainly enjoy more financial support than at his previous clubs, with the Foxes spending over £150m, including the pending purchase of Adrien Silva, since winning the title.

However, he has been on the drift since betting commenced, easing out from 4/1 to 7/1 to get the position on a permanent basis.

Michael Appleton
Michael Appleton

Nigel Pearson - 10/1 with Sky Bet

Could Leicester's owners turn back to the man who built the foundations for Ranieri's team? The nature of Nigel Pearson's exit, caused by "fundamental differences" with the club, suggests it is unlikely

However, after being sacked by Derby following another fallout with owners, the 54-year-old has returned to management with Belgian second-tier side Oud-Heverlee, interestingly owned by the King Power International Group.

Pearson's impact has been impressive, winning all four games since taking charge, but it remains to be seen whether chairman of both clubs, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, will look to bring him back to the Premier League.

Nigel Pearson

Roberto Mancini - 16/1 with Sky Bet

One of the main names touted to replace Rainieri earlier this year, Roberto Mancini is a Foxes cult hero following a stint at the club during the twilight years of his playing career.

However, he is currently in a job as manager of Zenit St Petersburg, having also had spells Galatasaray and Inter since his Manchester City sacking.

The 52-year-old Italian is also doing well in his post, sitting top of the Russian Premier Division despite a first defeat of the season at the weekend, while they have also won both Europa League games convincingly, suggesting it might not be his time for a return to Leicester.

Roberto Mancini

Other options...

Sacked Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti is an interesting Wednesday mover having been backed in to 10/1 from 20s, while Alan Pardew is 12s to return to Premier League management with the Foxes.

Big names Rafael Benitez, Harry Redknapp and Brendan Rodgers are all available at 20/1, as is Ryan Giggs.

Odds correct at 1655 BST on 18/10/2017

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