Cifuentes takes charge at Leicester on three-year deal
Leicester City have appointed former Queens Park Rangers head coach Marti Cifuentes as their new manager on a three-year contract. The 43-year-old Spaniard succeeds Ruud van Nistelrooy with less than a month remaining before the Championship season kicks off.
Challenges Ahead for Cifuentes
Cifuentes takes charge of a Leicester side returning to the Championship just one season after their Premier League relegation. The Foxes had previously won the second-tier title under Enzo Maresca in 2024 before suffering immediate top-flight relegation.
The appointment marks Leicester's sixth permanent managerial change in just over two years. Cifuentes now faces similar expectations to Maresca - securing promotion back to the Premier League.
QPR Tenure and Playing Philosophy
Leicester will pay QPR an undisclosed compensation fee for Cifuentes, who guided the London club to 18th and 15th-place finishes during his tenure. Club chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha believes the Spaniard's "modern, progressive footballing philosophy" makes him "an excellent fit."
Cifuentes' QPR spell ended controversially after a 5-0 defeat to Burnley in April 2024, which saw him placed on gardening leave before officially departing in late June.
Coaching Background
Describing the Leicester role as "a great honour," Cifuentes brings diverse experience including:
- Ajax youth academy (2007)
- Millwall coaching stint
- Spanish lower league management
- Scandinavian success with Hammarby (3rd place finish in 2022)
Immediate Challenges
Cifuentes faces significant hurdles:
- Less than four weeks to prepare for the new season
- Unresolved squad issues following Jamie Vardy's departure
- Potential EFL points deduction for financial rule breaches
- Limited transfer budget
Historical Context
The appointment comes nearly 10 years after Claudio Ranieri's legendary arrival, which culminated in Leicester's miraculous Premier League title win. Now in the Championship, the club faces numerous on- and off-field challenges.
BBC Analysis: Time Against New Manager
BBC Radio Leicester's Jack Rafferty notes:
"Cifuentes arrives with much work to do and little time. His possession-based approach mirrors Maresca's style - effective but sometimes frustrating for fans. With preseason underway and limited funds, the clock is ticking for squad preparation and recruitment."
While fans wanted earlier confirmation, they'll hope this appointment can stabilize the club after a turbulent period.
