From the Frenchman to the Spaniard: Leicester City line up Rafael Benitez
A disastrous performance against Crystal Palace has Claude Puel on the brink of being sacked. Shortly after the match, reports of the Leicester City Board lining up Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez to replace the Frenchman surfaced.
The 5-0 shellacking by the Eagles saw the Foxes at their absolute worst this season. Everything that can go wrong, did go wrong for Puel. A poor display by his starting lineup, including a Marc Albrighton red card at his unnatural position of right back, an injury to Wilfred Ndidi, and an overall lacklustre performance by the squad has left Claude Puel on the hot seat.
The rise and fall of Claude Puel
Puel started his tenure with the Foxes on a hot streak. By winning five of his first eight matches and earning 17 points overall, Puel was the manager of the future. However, this success would not last.
In the past 18 league matches, Puel has only won four games and gained only 18 points. A disappointing end to the Foxes’ FA Cup run and no Europa League created doubt for Puel being the right man for Leicester’s future. Rumors of player discontent due to his lack of communication and the overall disappointing form have left the Leicester Board with a decision to make.
The great expectations of Leicester’s Board
Since winning the Premier League title, managers have had a short leash at Leicester City. The firing of Puel would be the third time the Foxes sacked a boss in 15 months. The turnover rate is high, but that is because of the Board’s high expectations. For a team that has become the 14th richest club in the world, according to Business Insider, mid-table finishes are no longer good enough.
Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is willing to spend the money for top quality players to come to the East Midlands. However, a top quality manager is essential for leading the Foxes into the future.
The sacking of Craig Shakespear after four months was because the Leicester Board did not see him as a good enough boss for Leicester’s quality. Puel was brought in because he had success at top clubs like Monaco, Lille, and Olympique Lyonnais. However, it is clear the owners at Leicester want to go into a different direction.
From the Frenchman to the Spaniard
News outlets such as The Sun and The Daily Star report that current Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has been targeted to replace Puel. This might be nothing but speculation, yet the pairing between Leicester City and Benitez is fitting.
Leicester want the prestige that Benitez brings as manager. The Spanish boss has managed top clubs such as Real Madrid, Liverpool, Napoli and Valencia. He has won the La Liga title twice, the Europa League twice, the Italian Super Cup twice, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
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The Spaniard brings a proven history that the Leicester Board desperately wants. From the perspective of the Foxes, Benitez is the perfect top-tier manager that the club deserves. However, Benitez is now the manager at Premier League rival Newcastle United. Nonetheless, that may not stop the Spainard from leaving St. James’ Park for the King Power Stadium.
Benitez has said that he would like to stay with the Magpies. However, tension between Benitez and club owner Mike Ashley has created a rift between the two. Ashley, who wants to sell the club, is unwilling to give Benitez transfer money, frustrating the manager. Due to this lack of finances, Benitez’s future with Newcastle is in purgatory.
A perfect couple
As noted before, Leicester City have become one of the richest clubs in the world. Srivaddhanaprabha’s ambition has led to the Leicester owner to want to spend a record amount during the summer transfer window. This is exactly what Benitez is looking for.
It will be hard for Benitez to turn down an offer from Leicester. The Foxes are a quality club that would give him a substantial amount of financial freedom. Nevertheless, as of today, Claude Puel is the boss of Leicester City and Newcastle United are still managed by Rafael Benitez.
The Spanish Fox?
Claude Puel’s time at Leicester will probably be coming to an end. He is a fine coach, but the Leicester ownership has greater ambitions. The résumé of Benitez proves that he has the winning history that Leicester want. Further, the board would be willing to allow Benitez to spend as much this summer as he wants, something Newcastle would not let him do.
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It would seem that Rafael Benitez and Leicester would be a perfect match. However, nothing is ever set in stone when it comes to football. Ambition is high for Leicester City. Hopefully a manager like Benitez can take club to greater heights.