Leicester City chairman said manager Marti Cifuentes ‘needs time’ just hours before sacking him

Marti Cifuentes was sacked as Leicester City manager on Sunday afternoon – but the decision was made after a rapid U-turn.

The Foxes‘ chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, also known as Top, appeared to back Cifuentes just hours before dismissing him.

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A pre-recorded interview with BBC Radio Leicester was released after it was announced the Spanish boss had been given the boot.

And within it, Top strangely called for ‘more time’ to be given to Cifuentes despite the club’s woeful season in the Championship.

Top said when asked how much he was involved in the appointment of Cifuentes in the summer: “Every step.

“I think when we are trying to find a new manager or players, we have a panel to make sure we are seeing or finding the right one.

“So, we are seeing that he is doing well, he should be doing well, but he needs time to do it.

“And we need to help him also…but we have to help him quick and find a solution really quick.”

When asked specifically whether he backed Cifuentes to turn things around, Top then said: “I hope to talk and we will assess with him with the whole club together.

“And then we hope that we can find a solution.”

But just hours after making those statements on the future of the Leicester manager, it appears things changed.

And Cifuentes was not given any more time as he was sacked following the Foxes’ 2-1 loss at home to Oxford United.

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talkSPORT understands that Leicester chiefs held a meeting on Sunday before opting to dismiss Cifuentes.

It’s understood that Top faced overwhelming pressure in the meeting to make a change in the dugout.

What else did Top say?

The Leicester owner was then asked what the goals were for the rest of the season for the club amid their struggles.

He replied: “I think with Championship football, you never see what is coming, every team can beat any team.

“We will try hard and try everything we can… I’m sure the players know that the play-offs are the target now.

“Before, we were trying hard to be in the automatic promotion, but realistically now it’s time to know we need to fight for the play-offs.”

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On whether there is any transfer business coming from the Foxes, who are awaiting a points deduction for breaking PSR rules, he added: “There is money for any transfer window, but we are limited with the rules that are set.

“We have to spend well, we have to manage the rules to be complied on the PSR, so we have to select the good players to come in and there’s still money available to do it.

“But it has to be in the right way and it’s not easy.”

Who will take over from Cifuentes?

Leicester legend Andy King has been appointed interim boss while a permanent replacement is sought out.

King is the current bookies’ favourite to take up that role.

However, ex-Southampton and Rangers boss Russell Martin is also a favourite, along with Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard.