FOXES IN HUNT FOR WAGNER & RODGERS

BRENDAN RODGERS and David Wagner top Leicester’s wanted list in their hunt for a manager.

The Foxes are on the lookout for a new man following the sacking of Claude Puel yesterday.

The Frenchman was axed just hours after Leicester’s 4-1 loss to Crystal Palace – their fourth home defeat on the spin.

Puel (below) was called in to see club owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and told that his 16-month reign was at an end.

The Thai businessman, known as ‘Top’, is said to have found it a particularly hard decision to make given the dignified way Puel guided the club and players through the aftermath of the helicopter tragedy at the club’s King Power Stadium. Top’s father Vichai and four others died in the fireball horror hours after a home game against West Ham in October.

But sentiment had to be put aside when it was decided that Puel had lost the backing of the fans and a number of players.

Now the Foxes go in search of their fourth permanent manager in two years – Craig Shakespeare succeeding title-winning boss Claudio Ranieri.

And it could be a straight fight between Celtic boss Rodgers and former Huddersfield manager Wagner. Ex-liverpool chief Rodgers is someone known to be well thought of in the Leicester boardroom.

The Northern Irishman is going for his third successive title north of the border, but is thought to want a return to the Premier League.

The Leicester job is likely to prove attractive, but it is a question of whether they could get him before the end of the season.

The same applies to Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez, who is still to agree a new contract at St James’ Park, with his current deal ending this summer.

But one man available straight away is the highly-rated Wagner, who is enjoying an extended break after his shock walk-out at Huddersfield.

The German steered Town to promotion two seasons ago, but quit in mid-january with the club rooted to the bottom of the

Premier League.