Sven's departure leaves Leicester shell-shocked

Sven-Goran Eriksson has left his position as Leicester City manager by mutual consent following talks with club owners earlier this evening, the official site has confirmed.

© Matt Beighton, Flickr


First team coach Derek Fazackerly has also left the club, meaning that academy director Jon Rudkin and coach Mike Stowell will take charge ahead of Leicester's trip to West Ham United this Saturday.


The decision appears to be a reactionary one following Leicester's 3-0 home loss to Millwall at the weekend and the former England manager's departure has left the majority of Foxes supporters stunned. Eriksson joined the club in September 2010 with Leicester in the bottom three of the Championship following a torrid start to the season under former manager Paolo Sousa which saw the Foxes pick up five points in their opening nine games.


Despite an inconsistent start to the Championship campaign which saw the Foxes falling into the bottom half of the table, Leicester remain two points outside the playoffs, having lost just two of their last 10 league games.


While the club remains in a solid financial position with a strong core of excellent players, rumours are likely to circulate in the upcoming days over the future of the club and the vacant position.

St Andrews setback keeps Foxes' feet on the ground

Leicester's 2-0 loss to Birmingham City on Sunday was an indication that despite a recent run of good form, there is still work to be done before Sven-Goran Eriksson can consider his side a legitimate promotion contender.

© Jon Candy, Flickr
Matt Mills (left) faces a three-match suspension after his red card

The Foxes were undone by a second-half penalty and a breakaway goal after Matt Mills was shown a red card by substitute referee Kevin Wright for a two-footed tackle, although the former England manager had no complaints with either decision after he witnessed his side suffer their first away league defeat of the season. Instead, Eriksson is more likely to be concerned about his side's poor second-half display in spite of his captain's dismissal.

The result was in stark contrast to the Foxes' last televised game at the start of October which saw them demolish local rivals Derby County in a season-best 4-0 win. Leicester looked shell-shocked after falling behind early in the second-half against Birmingham and never recovered. The midfield play was erratic and never controlled the game, leaving strikers David Nugent and Darius Vassell little to work with. Richie Wellens and Jermaine Beckford were given too little time to have any real impact on the game, and Kasper Schmeichel was uncharacteristically out of position for the second goal.

A quarter of the way into the season, Leicester have shown significant improvement after a slow start which saw them lose their opening two home games. They were undefeated in seven before the international break and kept four consecutive clean sheets after the centre-back pairing of Matt Mills and Sol Bamba began to solidify. In this time, Leicester have knocked Southampton, Brighton and Derby off the top of the table, and yet have struggled in games against mid-table sides – much to the frustration of Foxes fans.

After 11 games, there can be no excuses. Expectations are too high for that. The settling in period is over. There have been glimpses of excellence this season and times when every individual element has come together nicely. But the loss against Birmingham was a harsh wake-up call that this will be a long and difficult season, and that nothing will simply be handed to them.

Of course, there are upsides. Leicester have a chance to quickly put this loss behind them with a game against Watford tomorrow night at the King Power Stadium, and Sven-Goran Eriksson has an almost fully fit squad to choose from – one with such depth and quality that would make other Championship managers envious. In terms of league form, Leicester have also won their last three home games and have scored eight goals in those wins, while Watford have won just two of their opening 11 games. Finally, Leicester are just two points outside of the playoff places – and five points outside the automatic promotion places. These are encouraging signs, but Eriksson will expect his players to respond and play significantly better than they did at the weekend.

With Leicester City in the national media spotlight this season, the pressure is on Sven-Goran Eriksson. Anything less than promotion in May will be regarded a failure. But for now, Sunday's loss should be considered a minor blip. One defeat in eight games is hardly reason to panic. The Championship is a tough, physical league, but alarm bells should not be ringing just yet. The side is good enough to quickly return to winning ways.

New-look Leicester impressing at the right time

Leicester City's 4-0 victory over local rivals Derby County yesterday evening could hardly have come at a better time - just before the international break, and in front of a massive Sky television audience.

© Isriya Paireepairit - Flickr

The win was emphatic and maintained Sven-Goran Eriksson's strong record in East Midlands derby matches. But more importantly, it highlighted that this Leicester side is starting to gel.

It is no big secret that the Leicester, recently referred to as the 'Manchester City of the Championship' on Sky Sports, have invested in big-name players this summer. The likes of Paul Konchesky, David Nugent and John Pantsil all have extensive Premier League experience, while Matt Mills and Jermaine Beckford came with heavy price tags. After a sluggish start with some below-par results (and performances), the victory over Derby emphasised the overall quality Leicester City possess.

However, such a victory has been on the cards for some time. On the back of a seven-game unbeaten run and four consecutive clean sheets (including two excellent draws at Cardiff and Middlesborough) it seemed only a matter of time before things would start to click. Matt Mills has been outstanding in his last few outings for the Foxes, while centre-back partner Sol Bamba has excelled all season. As a result, Leicester have conceded just nine goals in 10 league matches, the second fewest in the Championship. The entire back line are playing with confidence; both in themselves and with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel - and vice versa.

The midfield has suffered injuries - Richie Wellens and Michael Johnson being the latest. But each player raised their game yesterday, which will add a competitive element to the selection process. Andy King and Gelson Fernandes are both playmakers who can change the nature of a match, while Yuki Abe and Neil Danns have been solid when called upon.

Credit must also be paid to the forwards. Darius Vassell has been a revelation this season. The former England international is enjoying his finest form for the Foxes, looking more of a threat playing as an out-and-out striker rather than as a winger. The return of David Nugent yesterday was a huge boost to the side, and youngster Jeffrey Schlupp proved he can cause real problems for defenders with his unique combination of size and pace. When Jermaine Beckford returns from injury, Sven-Goran Eriksson will be spoilt for choice, and also given somewhat of a selection headache - but an enjoyable one.

That takes us to the manager. Sven-Goran Eriksson has done a tremendous job of remaining patient with his players confident in the knowledge that it was only a matter of time before things started to click. He will know that he is under pressure to deliver this season. Yesterday's game against Derby marked his anniversary with Leicester - a year in charge for the Swede. During that time, Leicester have taken 75 points from 46 games - more often than not, a total good enough for the play-offs. And now that he has had the summer to tailor-make a squad, this side is constantly improving.

Expectation is still high, but the hard work is paying off. Teams don't instantly click overnight; it does take time. Leicester enter the international break in eighth place, just one point outside the playoffs. But Sven's men are slowly and surely making things happen, and, after a slow start, they're doing it under the radar.

Why Sven-Goran Eriksson deserves a shot at the top flight

Back in October 2010, the appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson brought about a certain level of criticism and scepticism. Some thought that former boss Paulo Sousa was not given enough time in charge. Others thought that the arrival of the former England manager was somewhat of a publicity stunt by former chairman Milan Mandaric. Since Sven has been at the helm, however, there is absolutely no question that this club has turned a corner.

Sven has done what he believes is necessary to get this club back on track, which has involved some very brave decisions along the way. The sale of both Matty Fryatt and Michael Morrison to Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday respectively left many Foxes fans shocked. Jack Hobbs and Bruno Berner have surprisingly fallen down way the pecking order at Leicester City - despite the latter signing a new one year contract just last month. All four were integral in the club’s success in gaining promotion from League One, as well as making the playoffs last year. Not only that, but these four were fan favourites over the last two seasons.

Compared with last season, Eriksson has brought in an entirely new back four since his arrival. The pairing of Sol Bamba and Ben Mee coupled with the relatively inexperienced (yet talented) full-backs Kyle Naughton and Patrick Van Aanholt could be considered by some to be a huge gamble; especially after essentially replacing a defence which only allowed 45 goals last season – only Newcastle, Swansea and Nottingham Forest conceding fewer. These were changes which Sven believed needed to be made in order to tighten up defensively – and so far it has certainly paid off.

Eriksson has also brought in two attacking players who had big question marks over their ability and fitness. The permanent signing of Darius Vassell - who had been out of English football for some time - left some fans bemused, and the loan signing of Yakubu came as somewhat of a surprise – as well as a massive financial outlay. However, Vassell has been a devastating force when played up front, demonstrating his fantastic pace and vision. Yakubu scored on both his home and away debuts, and continues to terrify defenders with his technical ability on the ball. Both players will play significant roles in the final fifteen games.

On top of all the chopping and changing on and off the field, a key reason behind the club’s success is the fact that, generally speaking, the fans have given Sven a chance to make things work. It helps that Leicester City have boasted promotion form over the last 21 games (picking up an average of almost two points per game in the process). But there have been bumps in the road – including a very poor December which saw the Foxes pick up just four points from five games. Nevertheless, the fans never overwhelmingly voiced their displeasure when things were not going as well as expected, which allowed Eriksson to stay focused without facing pressure from the owners.

The result of all this is very clear. Leicester have risen from 24th to eighth in the Championship since the arrival of Sven, picking up 40 points from a possible 63 (this form from the beginning of the season would have equated to 87 points). The Walkers Stadium is once again a place to be feared by visiting teams (the Foxes are undefeated in twelve games at home since Sven’s arrival). Leicester are also undefeated in the league in 2011, and the defence has steadily improved. Players such as Richie Wellens and Paul Gallagher appear completely rejuvenated, and have enjoyed some of the best form of their careers over the last couple of months. Fans’ relegation fears have been replaced with playoff optimism and aspiration. The turnaround is obvious.

This turnaround, however, may not have occurred in the way that many Leicester City fans thought it might have – or even wished that it had. But Sven’s impact on the club is extraordinary. And should this turnaround continue, this club will fully deserve another shot at promotion to the top flight.

Here’s hoping for a success story by the end of May.

Under the Radar: how Sven-Göran Eriksson is quietly making things happen at Leicester City

When Sven-Göran Eriksson took the job as Leicester City manager, there were a lot of sceptics. Some thought he didn’t have the right background and discipline to manage a team at Championship level. Others questioned his past affairs in the media and whether it would impact on his professionalism. And many thought that former chairman Milan Mandaric had been far too trigger-happy with Paulo Sousa, who was dismissed after a string of dismal results and poor performances in September 2010.

But since the former England boss took charge, the Foxes have climbed ten places in the league. Eriksson has brought in a blend of youth and experience from the Premier League, and key players are returning to – and excelling – their form from last season.

The winning mentality is back.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, however. A new manager will not win every single game. The Championship is a highly competitive league, and this season has proven that any team can beat any other team. But the season ends in May; not in December. The phrase “it's a marathon, not a sprint” is one to bear in mind. Leicester fans are right to have high expectations, but should also not be concerned that their team are still in the bottom half of the table. Since Eriksson took charge, Leicester have taken 23 points from twelve league games, winning seven of those in the process - the most games won by any side in the Championship during that period. The Foxes have scored 21 leagues goals in that time (bettered only by Leeds United).

To put it simply, here is the difference between the two Leicester managers this season:

Paulo Sousa

Games played: 9
Games won: 1
Goals scored: 10
Goal difference: - 12
Points: 5
League position: 24th

Sven-Göran Eriksson

Games played: 12
Games won: 7
Goals scored: 21
Goal difference: + 8
Points: 23
League position: 14th

Leicester are the form team in the Championship over the last twelve games. They are also averaging 1.92 points in that time. That works out as 88 points over the entire season. In four of the last six seasons, 88 points is good enough for second place in this division.

However, there is still room for improvement. Leicester’s away form – whilst not terrible under Eriksson – has burdened them somewhat over the course of the season. Seven points from a possible 30 is not encouraging, although six of those points have come from games since Eriksson became manager. The next three away games are against Ipswich, Millwall and Hull – three sides struggling for consistency recently. There is no better time for Leicester to be playing these fixtures.

But it isn’t simply about statistics. The players brought to this club have all fitted the bill, too. Full-backs Kyle Naughton and Greg Cunningham give the team an added dimension in attacking play with their speed and vision. Curtis Davies has been a rock in defence. Darius Vassell has proven that his 30-year old legs still have pace to burn and can break the offside trap with ease, and that the former England international still has an eye for goal. These are all players who have at some point played in the Premier League, and it is obvious to see that. Not to mention the fact that Eriksson has the option to be busy in the January transfer window.

The best thing, however, is that Eriksson is doing all this relatively quietly. He knows the season doesn’t end tomorrow. He also knows what this side is capable of when they play their best football. Anyone who witnessed the second-half demolition of Doncaster Rovers last weekend would argue that it was some of the finest football seen at the Walkers Stadium in many years. No side in this league can contain Leicester City when they play like that.

The fans fully support the manager, as do the new owners – who have publicly stated that there will be money available in January for Eriksson to strengthen the side. A strong December is therefore essential. More importantly, it’s extremely achievable. This team is stronger than it was under Nigel Pearson last season – and when things come together, it really is exciting to watch.

Don’t be surprised if Sven-Göran Eriksson and Leicester City are making a realistic push for automatic promotion (there, I said it) in April 2011.

This team is going places.

Leicester City 5 - 1 Doncaster Rovers - 11th December 2010

Leicester City scored four second half goals to demolish Doncaster Rovers 5-1 at the Walkers Stadium this afternoon.

The visitors went ahead after six minutes through Billy Sharp, but Leicester drew level when Paul Gallagher converted from the spot in first half stoppage time.

Richie Wellens and Kyle Naughton netted for the Foxes before Darius Vassell scored his first goal for the club with fifteen minutes to go.

Martyn Waghorn added to the score sheet in injury time to cap off a dominating second half performance and extend Sven-Goran Eriksson’s unbeaten home record in the Championship to seven games.

It was certainly a game of two halves as Doncaster were much the better side in the early exchanges, with James Hayter firing over after Leicester’s defence was caught on the back foot.

The visitors soon made amends, however, when the Foxes’ backline was again breached by some positive play, resulting in Billy Sharp acrobatically volleying the ball into the top corner.

Leicester struggled to get into the game in the opening fifteen minutes, with Richie Wellens coming closest for the home side with a shot from eighteen yards which sailed over the crossbar.

The Foxes began to look much livelier halfway through the first period as Darius Vassell burst through the heart of the Doncaster midfield, after good work from Yuki Abe, but the former England man’s shot was fortunately deflected wide – and from the ensuing corner, Andy King rattled the crossbar with a header from close range.

Moments later, Paul Gallagher broke into open space with a storming run, but his shot was easily saved by Neil Sullivan.

Despite Leicester’s mounting pressure on the Doncaster goal, the visitors had a great chance to double their lead after an uncharacteristically bad header back to goal from Curtis Davies was latched onto by David Healy who took the ball around goalkeeper Chris Weale, but could not hit the target from a tight angle.

The game changed when substitute Lloyd Dyer entered the fray after 36 minutes – Roman Bednar having picked up an injury as a result of a heavy challenge – and was soon was at the heart of the action when he was brought down by Neil Sullivan in the Doncaster penalty area, two minutes into first half injury time.

Paul Gallagher stepped up to fire the ball past Sullivan – his third goal in two games - and bring the Foxes level just before the half time.

Leicester came out all guns blazing after the break, with Curtis Davies coming extremely close with a header just wide from a corner kick.

Loanee Greg Cunningham then hit the crossbar with a rasping free kick from 25 yards out after Darius Vassell, who had replaced Roman Bednar up front, was clumsily brought down by last man Wayne Thomas.

The game turned on its head with Vassell up front as Leicester were able to pass the ball around much more openly in midfield, and work off Vassell’s blistering pace to create more attacking opportunities with continuous support from Lloyd Dyer, Kyle Naughton and Andy King.

It was all one way traffic as Leicester continued to mount the pressure in the hunt for a second goal, and Andy King almost put the Foxes ahead with a superb low drive from distance, but Neil Sullivan was equal to the challenge, parrying the ball out for a corner.

But Leicester were ahead moments later when former Doncaster man Richie Wellens found some space in the middle of the park and unleashed a powerful low strike into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, putting his home side 2-1 ahead and epitomising the home side’s supremacy shown the second half.

Leicester, reluctant to sit on their one goal advantage, maintained their attacking nature with Andy King forcing Neil Sullivan into another save, and firing just wide moments later.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Chris Weale had to be alert to tip David Healy’s looping shot around the post to preserve Leicester’s lead.

Leicester then doubled their lead with twenty minutes remaining after a superb team counter attack was capped off by full-back Kyle Naughton, who latched onto Richie Wellens’ pinpoint pass and fired across goal into the bottom corner to put the Foxes 3-1 to the good.

The hosts were oozing with confidence by this stage, and soon added a fourth to the tally when Lloyd Dyer played the ball behind the Doncaster back line for Darius Vassell who prodded the ball under Neil Sullivan for a deserved goal – his first in the Leicester blue and white.

Martyn Waghorn replaced Vassell – who received a standing ovation from the Leicester fans - with five minutes remaining and had a glorious opportunity to score when he found himself clean through on goal, however his first touch let him down and the ball ran away from him.

The former Sunderland man did add to his season tally in injury time, however, when Andy King broke clear and hit the inside of the post, giving Waghorn the simplest of tasks to put the ball into an empty net and cap off an emphatic 5-1 win.

Another home victory boosted the Foxes to thirteenth in the league – leapfrogging Doncaster in the process – and left Sven’s men just five points outside the playoff places at this stage in the season.

Man of the Match – Darius Vassell

Leicester City - New Signings Part Two

A couple of months ago, I promised to update an old article with new signings as and when they arrived at the club. However, transfers dried up a little after Yuki Abe and Martyn Waghorn signed for Leicester City, so here’s a look at the newest loan additions to the squad since Sven-Goran Eriksson took charge.

Name: Kyle Naughton
Age: 21
Position: Right back
Transfer fee: n/a (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur until January 2011)

Last season:
After signing from Sheffield United in 2009, Naughton only featured once as a substitute for Tottenham Hotspur last season. He had a six month loan spell with Middlesborough from February 2010, playing in fifteen games.

First thoughts:
An bit of an unknown quantity unless seen playing during the 2008/09 season for Sheffield United, where he was voted Young Player of the Year by fans, and runner up Senior Player of the Year.

Who does he replace?
Robbie Neilson and Michael Lamey, who both featured during Paulo Sousa’s time in charge. Michael Morrison may also find that his opportunities become more limited as a result of a more experienced right back entering the fray.

What can he bring to Leicester City?
Known for his blistering pace, Naughton offers an attacking option as an overlapping full back which suits Eriksson’s preferred 4-4-2 formation, especially with Lloyd Dyer and Dany N’Guessan both currently sidelined. More importantly, the former England under-21 man has already demonstrated great composure in defence. Scoring in Leicester’s 2-1 away win over Leeds United will give him extra confidence.

Transfer rating: 8/10

Name: Curtis Davies
Age: 25
Position: Centre back
Transfer fee: n/a (on loan from Aston Villa for one month)

Last season:
Davies started 37 games for Villa under Martin O’Neill, scoring two goals in the process. However, he struggled to keep his place in the team after undergoing shoulder surgery in October 2009, as well as facing strong competition in the Villa defence from both Richard Dunne and James Collins.

First thoughts:
A very good signing, should he be able to stay injury free.

Who does he replace?
The hole in the defence left by the loss of Wayne Brown last season, which Paulo Sousa never really addressed during the summer.

What can he bring to Leicester City?
Although only 25 years of age, Davies offers experience to a mostly youthful set of defenders. He is a gifted footballer but still happy to do the dirty work in defence and offers physical prowess and good aerial ability. The addition of Davies is likely to allow Jack Hobbs to play in the style he did last season, rather than filling in as the brawn of the two centre backs. If he can stay healthy, Davies should start every game for the next month.

Transfer rating: 9/10

Name: Darius Vassell
Age: 30
Position: Striker/Winger
Transfer fee: n/a (free agent)

Last season:
Vassell spent last season with Turkish side MKE Ankaragücü, scoring four times in 25 appearances.

First thoughts: Questions as to whether he still has the pace he previously demonstrated in the Premier League and at international level.

Who does he replace? Nobody in particular, although he does provide added depth amongst Leicester's strikers. Vassell could feature as a winger should Erikkson ever adopt a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 formation.

What can he bring to Leicester City?
At the very least, Vassell offers experience to some of the younger attacking players, having formerly played for Aston Villa, Manchester City and England. Having played for Eriksson at the aforementioned latter two clubs, Vassell may be able to rediscover his previous good form in English football. He won’t be match fit for another week or so, but will be interesting to see how he fares in the Championship. This one could go either way.

Transfer rating: 7/10

Leicester City 1 - 1 Hull City - 16th October 2010

Robert Koren’s second half goal was enough to earn Hull City a point at the Walkers Stadium and spoil new Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson’s home debut.

Andy King’s fifth goal of the season put the hosts ahead in just the third minute, but Robert Koren’s fine strike five minutes after half-time ensured that the points were shared in a heated match which featured the return of former Foxes manager Nigel Pearson to the Walkers Stadium.

Both of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s recently acquired loanees Kyle Naughton and Curtis Davies featured in the starting line-up for the Foxes, who both signed for Leicester this week.

Leicester dominated the first half and were ahead after three minutes through Andy King after some excellent work from Richie Wellens and Matt Oakley played the Welshman in behind the Hull defence, and was able to find a way past Matt Duke despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.

King was again involved minutes later when his cross was met by the head of Martyn Waghorn in the penalty area, who forced an excellent save from Duke.

From the ensuing corner, Curtis Davies – on loan from Aston Villa – was unlucky not to double Leicester’s lead with a solid header which drifted back across goal.

Kyle Naughton – also on loan at Leicester, this time from Tottenham – looked very assured as he pushed forward to cross the ball to Steve Howard at the back post, who headed back to Andy King whose goal-bound effort was blocked by fellow Welsh international Anthony Gerrard.

Bruno Berner’s long range shot just before half-time had Duke at full stretch again, but the full-back’s effort ran just wide of the far post.

Hull were a completely different side in the second half, and they were level within minutes after the restart with their first real chance of the game as Robert Koren’s superb long range strike could only be parried into the net by returning Foxes keeper Chris Weale after the Leicester defence failed to close down the Slovenian.

The visitors were the better side for most of the second half, creating a number of good chances to go ahead, as Mark Cullen’s volley from a route one goal kick flew just over the crossbar.

Some last ditch defending by Bruno Berner thwarted Caleb Folan at the back post as Hull continued to press, with the Swiss international just doing enough to put the ball behind for a corner at the back post to avoid a certain goal.

The game twisted and turned in the latter stages of the half with both sides looking for a winner, as Leicester substitute Franck Moussa’s corner found Jack Hobbs at the back post, his header lacked power and was saved by Matt Duke.

At the other end, Chris Weale was forced to make a near post save from a Kevin Kilbane header with fifteen minutes remaining.

As time began to run out, Paul Gallagher had a great chance to put the Foxes ahead after the Hull defence failed to deal with a Martyn Waghorn corner, but the ball bounced up just before his strike, and his shot sailed over the bar from close range.

Leicester piled on the pressure in the dying minutes as Bruno Berner’s shot was blocked in the six yard box after another Waghorn corner, but could not find a way through despite four minutes of added time.

The final whistle meant that both sides would have to settle for a draw, as both managers – each seeming fairly pleased with a point – left the pitch to a standing ovation from the fans.

Man of the Match – Curtis Davies

Why Nigel Pearson's return to the Walkers Stadium should be a welcome one

With all of the goings on at the Walkers Stadium over the last two weeks; the departure of boss Paulo Sousa and subsequent arrival of new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, Leicester’s successful mid-season tour of Thailand and new signings on the way, the return of Nigel Pearson to his former club tomorrow afternoon has not been as much on the radar as one might have initially anticipated at the commencement of this Championship season.

Pearson left Leicester during the summer after apparent fallings out behind the scenes, and despite various statements being released, the rumour mill churning out various stories and the former Foxes manager actually being interviewed on BBC Radio Leicester recently, the fans are still unsure as to the real reason for his exit. His departure left most fans confused, more than anything else. It was difficult to understand why the man who led Leicester to two successful seasons would seemingly ‘leave’ for pastures new at Hull City. Did he walk? Was he pushed? Who did he fall out with – and over what?

Nigel Pearson said in that interview that he felt the club did not do enough to keep him, although it hardly answers all questions. Pearson – now with Hull City, Leicester’s next opponents - always kept his cards held close to his chest, and so fans may never know the full extent of what happened. But that should not stop the Blue Army faithful from welcoming him with a standing ovation.

In recent years, many have come and gone through the revolving door that is the position of Leicester City manager. But few – if any, since the days of Martin O’Neill – have made such an impact as Nigel Pearson did during his two years at the helm.

After relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in the club’s history, Pearson led Leicester to promotion back into the Championship and to the playoffs during the subsequent season – the club’s best finish in that division since 2003. He signed players like Lloyd Dyer, Richie Wellens, Jack Hobbs and Chris Weale who are now fan favourites. He turned the Walkers Stadium into a fortress, only losing five times at home in two seasons. He gave very little away, never playing into the hands of interviewers – yet acted like a true professional at all times and acted decisively during games without cracking under the pressure. Most importantly, he gave Foxes fans a sense of optimism that good things were happening. And that should be appreciated.

There is no doubt that the most important thing for Foxes fans tomorrow is that Leicester beat Hull City, take three points and start climbing the Championship table as quickly as possible. There is a huge mountain to climb in terms of getting this season back on track. But before kick-off, and whilst this may not fit the protocol regarding managers returning to former clubs, I hope Nigel Pearson gets the welcome back tomorrow he truly deserves.

Sven-Göran Eriksson: can the former England boss take Leicester City to the top?

It is without question that the dismissal of former boss Paulo Sousa, followed by the somewhat hasty signing of former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, has rocked the boat at Leicester City. His unsuccessful stint as the director of football at Notts County left little to be desired, resulting in Eriksson leaving the club within a matter of months last season. Therefore it is unsurprising that Foxes fans are hardly bowled over with this new managerial appointment.

However, I believe that there is reason to be more optimistic. I agree with Milan Mandaric’s justification behind the sacking of Paulo Sousa last week. Sousa is a classy guy and he did have potential. Leicester City played exciting, attacking football under him which was very refreshing to see, and the argument can quickly be made that nine league games is not a long enough time period for any manager to make his mark on a football club (bearing in mind he also won three cup games in the two months he was at the Walkers Stadium). But the defence was uncharacteristically bad. 22 goals were conceded in nine games. Last season under Nigel Pearson, Leicester only conceded 45 goals all season with essentially the same group of defenders. While some players were excelling under Sousa’s attacking style of football, others such as Jack Hobbs and Michael Morrison began to look increasingly uncomfortable, resulting on too much pressure being put on more attacking players to overcome an almost inevitable deficit in every game.

How long can a chairman sit and wait before the season becomes seriously damaged – considering the expectations after last season? If Milan Mandaric had waited until Christmas before finding a new manager - with Sousa’s style showing no signs of improvement – he would have been criticised by the fans for waiting too long. Mandaric was in a very difficult situation, and he had to make a difficult decision. As cruel as it may be, it is easier to replace your manager than it is to replace a large number of players – especially when said players have such talent and potential, as has been demonstrated over the previous two seasons.

But the decision to bring Eriksson in seems as though it could have been in the pipeline long before Sousa’s final two games in charge against Portsmouth and Norwich, which is unfair. Sousa had a plan for this club, and Mandaric was well aware of that plan when he offered him the position. But Mandaric has said on countless occasions that he is willing to do whatever it takes to bring success to Leicester City, and sitting at the bottom of the Championship after almost a quarter of the season is not a good place to be. Although there is still a long way to go in this Championship campaign, a change had to be made to bring success to this season.

Like many others, I don’t strictly disapprove of the appointment of Eriksson. As mentioned earlier, he has managed at international level, and in the Premier League, and thus has a great deal of experience in English football. Mandaric has also been criticised for his selection, it being labelled as a publicity stunt by fans and the media. However, Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn and the other members of the Thai-based consortium who own the club would have had as much input regarding the hiring of Eriksson as the chairman did. If that is the case, then this is not so much a publicity stunt as it is the owners showing intolerance to failure, and an expectation of good results. Whilst Mandaric has demonstrated a track record for showing impatience with managers at times, if the decision had been purely down to him, Paulo Sousa probably would have been given more time at the helm. The possibility, therefore, that the new ownership could once again in a quick turnover of managers – as experienced during the 2007/2008 season – is a realistic one.

I also worry that Eriksson could flood his backroom with outside names, having already brought in Derek Fazackerley, whom he worked with during his time at Manchester City. This could potentially force out coaches, and current stand-in managers, Chris Powell and Mike Stowell. This would be a huge mistake. As can be demonstrated by the way Leicester bounced back against Scunthorpe United at the weekend, many of the players have a great connection with both of these coaches, and the club itself is lucky to have them as part of the backroom staff. Both have also expressed their interest in staying at the club, and Eriksson would do well to keep them around to help with the development of the first team players, and also to gain the trust and support of the Blue Army faithful.

Life is never dull as a Leicester City supporter, and once again the club appears to be headed for uncertain times. However, fans should not necessarily be pessimistic. The squad is still very strong, and as far as league position goes, the only way is up. If Eriksson can get the best from these players then he could be on to a winner. If they don’t respond, then his time at the Walkers Stadium – like Paulo Sousa – could be short lived. The jury is still out on this appointment, but Eriksson certainly has the potential to bring this football club back to winning ways.