Leicester City has officially appointed Marti Cifuentes as their new manager on a three-year deal, following the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The 43-year-old Spaniard takes over a club that has returned to the Championship for the second time in three years, having been relegated from the Premier League after winning the second-tier title in 2024 under former manager Enzo Maresca. Cifuentes, who previously managed Queens Park Rangers, is expected to replicate Maresca's vision of a possession-heavy and high-pressing style of play.

Cifuentes' record at QPR included finishes of 18th and 15th in the Championship, and he was seen as a popular figure among fans. However, his tenure ended with a disappointing 5-0 loss to Burnley, leading to his gardening leave before officially parting ways with the club. Leicester's chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, expressed confidence in Cifuentes, stating that he would bring a "modern, progressive footballing philosophy" to the Foxes.

As Cifuentes steps into his new role, he faces the challenge of quickly getting to know his players with less than a month before the new season kicks off. Notably, the squad has yet to undergo significant changes since relegation, including the departure of club legend Jamie Vardy. Furthermore, Leicester is facing potential financial issues that could affect their ability to sign new players, adding pressure on Cifuentes to achieve promotion back to the Premier League in the upcoming season. His leadership skills and experience in youth development were key factors in Leicester's decision to appoint him during this critical time.