Leicester City are said to have discussed Gary Rowett and Derek McInnes as possible successors to Marti Cifuentes, following his dismissal on Sunday.
The claim comes from the Daily Mail’s Matt Barlow, with the Foxes now searching for their fifth permanent manager since lifting the Championship title under Enzo Maresca in May 2024.
Life back in the second tier has proven difficult for Leicester, who have shown little evidence of mounting a serious promotion push despite early-season expectations. Cifuentes, appointed on a three-year deal last summer after leaving Queens Park Rangers, initially made a positive impression during a quiet transfer window shaped by PSR restrictions.
However, a sharp downturn in results culminated in Saturday’s damaging 2-1 home defeat to Oxford United — a match that also marked Matt Bloomfield’s first win as U’s boss, ironically after replacing Rowett.
Leicester currently sit 14th in the Championship with 38 points from 29 games, six adrift of the play-off places and only nine clear of the relegation zone, with the added concern of a potential points deduction hanging over the club. Against that backdrop, speculation has intensified over who might take charge next.
According to the report, Leicester’s hierarchy are prioritising experience, bringing Rowett and McInnes into the conversation. Rowett, despite being sacked by Oxford shortly before Christmas, boasts an extensive Championship CV, including spells with Millwall, Birmingham City, Derby County and Stoke City, having first made his name as a manager at Burton Albion.
He also has a past connection with Leicester from his playing days, making 57 appearances for the club between 2000 and 2002 after joining from Birmingham City. McInnes, meanwhile, is currently enjoying success north of the border, guiding Hearts into a Scottish Premiership title race.
The 54-year-old has built a strong reputation through his work at St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and now Hearts, who are four points clear at the top following a draw with Celtic at the weekend.
His lone experience in the Championship, with Bristol City between 2011 and 2013, was less convincing, ending with relegation a spell that concluded with a heavy defeat to Leicester.
While Leicester’s stature, facilities and recent history would usually make the job appealing, prising McInnes away from Hearts could prove difficult.
He signed a new four-year contract last May and has publicly committed to delivering trophies, with the club chasing a first league title in 66 years. Combined with Leicester’s ongoing financial challenges, those factors may complicate the Foxes’ efforts to attract their preferred candidate.
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