Claude Puel under pressure at Leicester to deliver European football – could Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez be the answer for the Foxes?
Claude Puel is under pressure as Leicester City manager, with the Telegraph reporting the club’s hierarchy are growingly increasingly unhappy with the team’s form and Frenchman’s methods.
After an impressive start under Puel after the 56-year-old had taken over from Craig Shakespeare in October, the Foxes have now only won four of their last 17 Premier League matches and are no longer in contention for European football.
While the bosses at the King Power Stadium realise that a repeat of their shock title victory in 2015/16 is unlikely, they do view European qualification as a realistic target.
They are prepared to spend big this summer to make that happen, but are unsure if Puel is the right man to oversee that spending and may look to make a change as a result.
Who could they appoint?
Well just three points and one position below ninth-placed Leicester in the table are Newcastle United, who are operating with a much smaller budget due to financial constraints imposed by owner Mike Ashley.
Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has made his frustration at a lack of backing from Ashley in the transfer market known and has been linked with a departure from St James’ Park on several occasions as a result; as outlined by Sport Witness.
Benitez has great European pedigree, having won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and guided them to another final two years later, as well as lifting the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013.
Still regarded by many as one of the best managers in Europe, should the English champions of two years ago seriously consider making the Spaniard their next managerial appointment in order to push on to the next level?
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