Marti Cifuentes has been fired as Leicester City manager after only six months in charge, leaving the Foxes in the bottom half of the Championship table.
The 43-year-old’s final match as manager was Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to lowly Oxford, Leicester’s 11th defeat in 29 league games under the Spaniard.
Cifuentes took over in July with the goal of returning the Foxes to the Premier League after their second relegation from the top division in three years last season, but he was fired with the club sitting 14th, six points behind the playoff places.
“This has been a difficult decision and not one I have taken lightly,” Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said in a statement.
“I would like to thank Marti for the total commitment he has shown during his time at Leicester City. He gave everything to the role and worked tirelessly to help us achieve our targets.”
Cifuentes’ departure means Leicester are looking for their sixth permanent manager since FA Cup-winning manager Brendan Rodgers was fired in April 2023.
Inconsistent outcomes have typified Cifuentes’ tenure at the King Power Stadium.
They have only won consecutive league games twice this season, and their longest unbeaten streak was an eight-game run from late August to mid-October that included five draws.
Leicester are 13 places and 31 points worse off than Enzo Maresca’s Championship-winning side at the same position in the 2023-24 season.
They are nine points ahead of the bottom three, but with a points penalty still hanging for alleged spending rule violations during the promotion-winning season in 2023-24, their exact place in the table is unknown.
“I believe this is the right step at this time to improve performances and results and to act in the best interests of Leicester City Football Club,” added Chairman Srivaddhanaprabha.
“Marti leaves with our thanks and our best wishes for the future.”
Leicester City have announced that first-team coach Andy King would take over as temporary manager till a permanent replacement is found.
The Foxes’ next Championship game is at home against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
