Foxes could affect Cats’ search for new manager
CLAUDE Puel is reportedly on the verge of being sacked by Leicester City, which could have implications for the future of Michael Appleton.
Highly-rated Appleton, Puel’s assistant at the Foxes, is a candidate to be Sunderland’s next boss if new owner Stewart Donald decides to go down the route of a young manager.
Donald is a supporter and shareholder at Oxford United, where the 42-year-old Appleton enjoyed the best spell of his fledgling coaching career.
Appleton’s future in the east Midlands is uncertain, with the possibility of new management for the second time in less than a year at the club.
Speculation is growing that Puel’s job is under threat in the face of poor results and player dissatisfaction.
The former Southampton manager replaced Craig Shakespeare in October and had an instant impact, putting the Foxes into contention for European qualification.
But 18 points from their last 18 games, including Saturday’s humiliating 5-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, have put him under pressure.
Jamie Vardy apologised for the “shambolic performance” at Selhurst Park via social media.
From a distance, Puel initially looked to have returned Leicester to the style which won them the Premier League against all the odds in 2015-16, but players and fans are said to have become disenchanted as the football has become more methodical and less successful.
Leicester also started well under Claudio Ranieri and Shakespeare, only for their form to taper off over time. Now media outlets are speculating that Frenchman Puel could be sacked this summer.
Last summer Appleton signed a three-year contract as assistant to Shakespeare, and the fact he outlasted his boss shows it is no guarantee that a change of manager could cost him his job.
However coaches are always vulnerable to a new manager bringing in their own staff.
Former Hull City and Watford boss Marco Silva has been tipped as Puel’s replacement. The Portuguese worked with assistant Joao Pedro Sousa, first-team coach Goncalo Pedro and goalkeeping coach Hugo Oliveira at both clubs.
Yesterday afternoon Appleton was the bookmakers’ favourite for the Sunderland job.
He had three seasons at Oxford, leading them to Football League Trophy finals in his final two seasons, and automatic promotion to League One in his middle campaign. He also took them to the FA Cup fifth round last season, knocking out Newcastle United before losing to Middlesbrough.
Before that the former Manchester United trainee had spells in charge of Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers.
He was also caretaker manager of West Bromwich Albion and Leicester. Donald’s takeover is still subject to Football League ratification, which could delay a decision on the new manager. Chris Coleman was released on Sunday, when the new ownership was announced.