Leicestershire

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Russell Martin has emerged as a potential candidate for the vacant managerial seat at Leicester City but while it is not a done deal, many have been quick to compare him to former head coach Enzo Maresca.

The Italian led the Foxes to the Championship title in 2024 with possession-based football but left after a season in charge to join Chelsea.

However, not everyone is convinced Martin would bring 'Marescaball' back to Leicester if he is appointed.

"I don't necessarily buy into the fact that Russell Martin and Enzo Maresca - because they get aligned and compared so much - are that similar managers," BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin said.

"I would say that Russell Martin is a more extreme version of Enzo Maresca in terms of the way that he wants to play.

"Do Leicester City have the squad to be able to play that style of football? Possibly."

The Foxes have seen a huge turnover already with 10 players being released this summer, including captain Ricardo Pereira and the two main forwards, Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka.

"They still have an awful lot of players who will not want to play in League One this season and therefore there is going to be a lot more movement than we've already seen," Palmer-Atkin added.

"There's going to be a huge rebuild this summer for Leicester City and they have to get it right and part of the parcel of that is getting the right manager, with the right style, to build that around.

"This is not something that if they get wrong they can come back the following year and go again. They have to get it right this summer if they want to be the club that returns to the Championship and then very quickly returns to the Premier League."

Listen to Owynn Palmer-Atkin's full thoughts on the links with Martin on BBC Sounds

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We asked you for your opinion on the links between former Southampton and Rangers boss Russell Martin and the vacant managerial seat at Leicester City.

It's certainly got tongues wagging, that's for sure.

Here is a selection of what you had to say:

Enzo: Unfortunately we are now in the market for a manager with a blotted copybook. We just have to hope he's learnt from his mistakes and 'has a point to prove.' Specifically, there is more than one way to win a football match; respond to the conditions.

Pete: What an own goal. We've wasted weeks in appointing a manager when it was vital to get that done ASAP in May given the sheer amount of transfer business we need to do (10-20 players out and replaced).

Martin represents the opposite of what we need: a return to the ponderous, time wasting passing of Maresca that falls flat when you play someone as good as you. Should have sounded out Scott Parker and, if not, get Rowett in early doors as he knows the players already and could have been getting on with things weeks ago.

The club need to wake up and realise our true identity is about fearless positivity, urgency, passion and a never-say-die attitude, NOT an obsession with pass completion rates. We'll get behind whoever the manager is but Martin is a big disappointment.

Philip: A thought. What would be wrong with appointing Christian Fuchs as manager supported by a returning Jamie Vardy?

Think about it, Vardy wants to continue playing. So, supporting his former team in need of some serious inspiration, then go for a one-year player contract for Vardy working alongside his former team-mate Fuchs.

Robert: Russell Martin would be a sound appointment. He has an impressive background and he knows the style he wants to play.

More important, it indicates the board are aiming for a period of stability instead of quick-fix poor decisions, with the aim of getting back into the Premier League with one manager.

Alex: I have mixed opinions on Russell Martin, based on what other clubs' supporters think of him. If he has learnt from his time at Southampton and Rangers and is willing to change tactics, then I think he will succeed.

If he hasn't, then I think he'll struggle like at Rangers.

However, whoever it is needs backing strongly by the board. No more time wasting. Get the backroom staff sorted pronto and build a squad to compete for first place as soon as possible.

HJ: Russell would be an exciting choice. His style of play is far more positive than Gary, a defensive specialist. Avoiding financial mishaps, would a double promotion be too much to ask for?

Richard: The most important thing for the board right now is to rebuild trust across the club, fanbase and community and recreate the unity lost over the last three to four years.

Russell Martin is known to be unpopular among fans, regardless of any perceived technical merits, and so, for the board to ignore that and choose him, comes across as arrogant, threatening to fuel further division. Someone like Christian Fuchs or Richie Wellens would at least start with the fans onside.

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Former Rangers, Southampton and Swansea City boss Russell Martin has been strongly linked with the vacant manager's position at Leicester City.

The 40-year-old has been interviewed by the club's hierarchy, BBC Radio Leicester reports.

Martin won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs with Southampton in 2023-24 but was sacked the following season after one win in 16 games left Saints bottom of the table.

He was then fired after just 123 days in charge of Scottish Premiership giants Rangers in October 2025 with the club in eighth position after one win from their opening seven league games.

• Foxes fans, would you be happy with Martin coming in?

• If not, who would you prefer?

• If Martin does join, what are your expectations for the 2026-27 League One campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here and we will publish a selection of your responses later on.

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Leicester City defender Harry Souttar was in action at the weekend as preparations for the World Cup ramp up.

The Australia international captained the Socceroos for 82 minutes during their 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday.

The 27-year-old missed most of the Championship season for the Foxes due to an Achilles injury but could feature for Australia once the World Cup begins on 11 June.

The centre-back was part of the 2022 squad, which equalled their best World Cup performance by reaching the last 16.

Australia are in Group D and will face Turkey, hosts USA and Paraguay.