LEICESTER CITY today “parted company” with manager Claude Puel in the wake of their 4-1 thrashing from Crystal Palace yesterday. Yesterday as speculation mounted on Puel’s future, John Hartson was quick to shoot down Mikael Owen and others in the BT Sports studio who reckoned that Brendan Rodgers would be the top candidate to take over from Puel.
Chris Sutton had his say this morning shortly before news broke of Puel’s sacking and he followed his initial comments up after the news broke, indicating that he does NOT agree with Hartson and reckons that Brendan Rodgers might be tempted to head back to the English Premier league to take charge at Leicester City.
Speaking before Leicester announced the parting of the ways with Puel, Sutton said:
“Do I think he could leave Celtic? I think that’s the million dollar question,
“He’s being linked heavily with Leicester.”
Darrell Currie then reminded Sutton that John Hartson was adamant yesterday that Brendan would not leave Celtic to take the Leicester job.
“I disagree there’s no chance of him going to Leiecster,” Sutton replied to Currie.
“How do I know if he’s leaving or not? I think it’s a possibility that Brendan Rodgers will leave. He’s going to be courted.”
The Premier League club broke the news this morning in the following statement:
“Leicester City Football Club has today (Sunday) parted company with Claude Puel, who leaves his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.
“The Club would like to thank Claude for his efforts in leading the team during his 16 months in the role and wish him well in his future career.
“Assistant Manager Jacky Bonnevay also departs with the Club’s best wishes.
“First Team Coaches Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler, supported by the Club’s established backroom staff, will assume responsibility for the senior squad while the Club begins the process of appointing a new manager.
“The Board will make no further comment until this process is complete.”
Leicester City Football Club has today (Sunday) parted company with Claude Puel, who leaves his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.https://t.co/VoZnGBJ8Up
— Leicester City (@LCFC) February 24, 2019
Following Leicester’s statement Sutton added, “Brendan Rodgers, with what is inevitably going to happen with speculation, it’s a good time for the Celtic fans to hear from him.
“Big John thinks he will stay, I don’t. A lot of Celtic fans will think ‘what is going to happen now?’
“Everything will come down to what Brendan wants to do in the end,” Sutton added.
Brendan hit out at the sectarianism in Scotland after the events of the past week, and the abuse Steve Clarke had to endure at Ibrox in midweek. The Celtic manager suggested that this would discourage other managers from coming to work in Scotland.
Neil Lennon, a former Leicester City hero, could well be in the running for the vacancy at the King Power Stadium.
