Leicester: Gary Rowett appointed manager until end of season | Football news

Leicester have appointed Gary Rowett as manager until the end of the season, with the club chairman saying the Foxes are “in a fight for survival” in the Championship.

Former Foxes midfielder Rowett has been out of work since leaving Oxford United in December, but arrives with Leicester languishing in the Championship relegation zone, having been hit with a six-point deduction for breaching PSR rules.

The former Premier League champions are on a dismal run of just two wins in their last 11 league matches, a run which includes eight defeats and has left them third in the table, two points from safety.

Leicester sacked Marti Cifuentes in January and manager Andy King took over as caretaker for the last four matches, including Saturday's FA Cup exit to Southampton and an incredible 4-3 defeat to the same opponents last week.

Rowett will be joined by Callum Davidson as assistant manager.

Rowett aims to make 'connections' with players and fans

Speaking at his unveiling, Rowett said: “I’m really proud to be the new manager of Leicester City and to have the opportunity to work with and lead a truly talented group over the coming months.

“What needs to be achieved by the end of the season is very clear to us all and the work begins immediately. I look forward to connecting with the players, the club staff and the fans – all of which will be vital in helping us achieve the results we need.”

Chairman of Leicester City Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha “Gary is a manager with extensive knowledge of the Championship and experience of the situation we face in these final 14 games of the season – a fight for survival in the division. This is a task that the entire club is focused on, and we will provide Gary with all the support necessary to help us find the solutions we need.

“I am grateful to Andy King for the professionalism and dedication with which he has prepared the team for recent matches in difficult circumstances. Along with the current first team squad, he will remain a valuable part of our coaching staff, providing important continuity from which Gary and Callum can help build.”

Rowett's decision shows Leicester's plight

Siméon Gholam, Sky Sports EFL Editor:

“It shows how much things have changed at Leicester City that they are turning to Gary Rowett to stop them from diving into League One.

“And it shows where the Foxes are that it took almost four weeks to make this appointment after the sacking of Marti Cifuentes.

“The situation is bleak. Rowett knows the Championship well, but naysayers will realize that his last two jobs saw him end with Birmingham relegated from the second tier in 2024 (albeit on an interim basis after just eight games in charge) and with Oxford in the drop zone in December.

“Maybe this will be the boost Leicester need. Rowett rarely gets plaudits for his teams' style, but they rarely lack effort – something the Foxes have sorely lacked this season.

“They're a team that shouldn't be anywhere near the relegation zone, even with the six-point deduction. If Rowett can get them back up and running and end this sorry run, they should do really well.”