Rodgers in the frame after Puel sacking

Leicester have sacked manager Claude Puel, with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers linked with succeeding the Frenchman at the King Power Stadium.

Puel has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks and his final match in charge was Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

The result saw the club’s board pressed into action due to the alarming drop down the Premier League table. Puel was relieved of his duties yesterday morning after Foxes vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who watched the defeat in Thailand, made the decision following talks with other club officials.

The defeat to Palace was Leicester’s sixth loss in their last seven matches, a run that has seen them knocked out of the FA Cup by Newport and drop down to 12th in the Premier League and eight points above the relegation zone.

A club statement read: “Leicester City Football Club has today 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.”

With assistant manager Jacky Bonnevay also leaving Leicester along with Puel, coaches Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler have been placed in temporary charge.

Celtic manager and former Liverpool boss Rodgers is reported to be among the front-runners to replace Puel in the summer, with the club set to install an interim manager for the remaining 11 matches of the season.

Asked about the speculation before the Hoops’ Premiershipmatchagainst Motherwell, Rodgers said: “My message is always very, very clear. I’m very concentrated on the game.

“My concentration is fully on getting the three points. My job is to concentrate on the game. There’s always speculation around football.”

Leicester are next in action on tomorrow night when they host Brighton in the Premier League.