Leicester City are on the brink of unveiling Marti Cifuentes as their new head coach, with the final hurdle being the processing of his visa, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.
The former Queens Park Rangers boss has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was sacked in June following the Foxes' relegation from the Premier League. With advanced talks concluded and a compensation package agreed, Cifuentes’ appointment is expected to be formalized imminently, marking a significant step in Leicester’s preparations for the 2025/26 Championship season.
Excl: #lcfc agree compensation with #qpr for Marti Cifuentes - who is paying half of the £500k himself. Now only his visa outstanding, which couldn’t be processed over the weekend.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) July 14, 2025
A New Chapter for Leicester City
Cifuentes, a 43-year-old Spaniard, has verbally agreed to a two-year contract with Leicester, which includes an option for a third year, as reported by Sky Sports News. The club has been without a permanent manager since parting ways with Van Nistelrooy, whose tenure saw just five wins in 27 matches, culminating in relegation.
Leicester’s search for a successor has been extensive, with names like Gary O’Neil, Chris Wilder, Danny Rohl, and Michael Carrick linked to the role. However, Cifuentes has emerged as the preferred choice, bringing a forward-thinking philosophy and Championship experience to the King Power Stadium.
Visa Processing: The Final Step
The only remaining obstacle is the processing of Cifuentes’ visa, which could not be completed over the weekend, according to Dorsett. This administrative delay has postponed the official announcement, but Leicester are confident the issue will be resolved swiftly. Once the visa is secured, Cifuentes is expected to be confirmed as the club’s sixth manager in just over two years, stepping into a challenging role as Leicester brace for a Championship campaign potentially complicated by a points deduction due to an alleged Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) breach.
Challenges and Expectations
Cifuentes’ appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Leicester, who face a daunting Championship season. The club’s preparations have been hampered by the prolonged managerial search, with their first pre-season game already played against Peterborough United. Fans have expressed frustration with the board’s decision-making, and Cifuentes will need to quickly win over a skeptical supporter base while navigating potential transfer challenges, including the expected departure of midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.
