‘He’s really got something’ – Gary Lineker calls for former England manager to replace Steve Cooper at Leicester
GARY LINEKER has named his choice to become the next Leicester manager.
Steve Cooper was sacked by The Foxes on Sunday after just five months and 12 games in charge of the club.
It came in the wake of a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea – who are coached by former manager Enzo Maresca.
Footage has since emerged of the Leicester players on their Christmas party in Copenhagen over the weekend with a sign reading “Enzo I miss you” near the group – which included Conor Coady and Harry Winks.
Leicester remain outside the relegation zone in 16th place despite a run of four games without a win.
Ex-Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter is one name being touted to take over from Cooper.
David Moyes and Ruud van Nistelrooy are also understood to be in the frame.
But Lineker, who came through as a player at Leicester and has supported the club all his life, believes the 2016 Premier League champions should go for England U21s head coach Lee Carsley.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker analysed Leicester’s options, saying: “I’ve got no insight on who might come in and take his place now.
“I’d be almost astonished if they haven’t got someone in mind because just to do that on a whim and suddenly think ‘who are we gonna get’.
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“The first rumour I heard was David Moyes which would certainly be I think a safe pair of hands.
“He’s been around the block and I think that would be a safe appointment.
“I think if you look elsewhere, maybe someone like [Graham] Potter possibly, he’s been doing the media rounds which suggests he wants to get back in the game as soon as he possibly can.”
Lineker then went on to add: “I’d go with Lee Carsley.
“I think he’s really got something and I think there’s a little bit of a reluctance in the Premier League opposed to perhaps other leagues and with possible exceptions Brentford and Brighton who’ve brought in young managers that they think have got something about them.
“They’ve got a coaching ability that I think is there and you take a bit of a punt.
“Now it’s difficult with a club who are obviously going to be fighting relegation, it’ll be a tough first managerial job in terms of a club size for someone like Carsley.”
Carsley became interim boss of the England senior side following the departure of Gareth Southgate after the Euros.
Thomas Tuchel has now been named the permanent successor after Carsley won five of his six games in charge.
And Lineker has been impressed with the ex-Everton midfielder – who led the U21s to Euros glory last year.
He said: “The way England players responded to him, you can tell they respected him as a coach and thought he had good ideas.
“We thought he was really imaginative and brave.
“So if it was down to me, which it categorically is not, I would possibly think of someone like that if they don’t go down the tried and trusted experience route of someone like David Moyes.”