In Focus: The men in the frame to replace under-fire Foxes boss Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers is hanging on to the Leicester job by a thread after a disastrous start to the season.

The Foxes have crashed to six defeats in seven Premier League outings, prompting speculation that a change in the dugout could be on the cards. 

We consider five leading candidates to take charge at the King Power Stadium should Rodgers, 49, be sacked. 

Sean Dyche

Having worked miracles at Burnley for just shy of a decade, Sean Dyche is ready to return to management.

Dyche, 51, knows the English top flight inside out and could be the perfect man to inject discipline and confidence into a Leicester side leaking goals.

While the style of football he implemented at Turf Moor may not mirror Rodgers' philosophies, the former Clarets boss looks a fine fit given Leicester's decision to tighten the purse strings.

Speaking recently about his next role, Dyche said: "The best scenario in my experience is for a club to tell me what they want me to manage and I'll manage it to the best of my ability.

"Money is a big one. So just tell me we haven't got any money and then I'll manage the best I can with no money. Or tell me we have got some. It’s grey areas that are hard for managers."

It would certainly be interesting to see what the Kettering-born boss could do with the likes of James Maddison and Jamie Vardy at his disposal.

Thomas Frank

A manager more aligned to Leicester’s current style of play is Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

The Dane's stock has not stopped rising since his internal promotion to take charge of the Bees’ first team in October 2018, guiding them to the Premier League less than three years later.

Frank has built a fine squad who regularly perform above the sum of their parts, with star striker Ivan Toney earning England recognition this month.

He is one of the game's most likeable characters and has formed a strong bond with both players and fans in West London, though his exploits are now inevitably gaining admiring glances.

Asked about links with Leicester last week, 48-year-old Frank said: "It's very simple. I'm here at Brentford and very happy."

Having penned a contract extension until the summer of 2025 last season, headhunting Frank would not be a cheap option.

Mauricio Pochettino

Regularly linked with Manchester United in recent seasons, Mauricio Pochettino may well have his sights set higher than the Premier League’s basement club.

But the ex-Tottenham tactician is clearly keen for a return to the touchline having been dumped by Paris Saint-Germain after just 18 months in charge earlier this summer.

In the French capital, the 50-year-old Argentine won a first league title of his managerial career but ultimately paid the price for coming up short in the Champions League. 

His attacking brand of football would get the best out of the likes of Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Youri Tielemans.

Whether he would be the best choice to address their defensive frailties, however, is up for debate.

The club may also have to move quickly if they do want to lure Pochettino, with recent reports linking him with the managerial vacancy at Ligue 1 outfit Nice.

Rafa Benitez

Another familiar face to Premier League supporters, Rafa Benitez would surely be interested in a fifth career project in England’s top tier.

The Spaniard, 62, won European titles with both Liverpool and Chelsea. He also became somewhat of a cult hero at Newcastle, though his most recent stint at Everton was one to forget. 

Benitez is not always a popular choice among supporters due to his pragmatic approach but few bosses possess a stronger coaching pedigree at the top level.

Furthermore, his defensive-minded tactics could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the feeble Foxes — they would certainly not lack structure under his stewardship.

Crucially, though, Benitez has recently gone on record saying he felt he did not have sufficient power to make big behind-the-scenes changes at Goodison Park.

With money tight, that kind of internal upheaval may be something Leicester's owners wish to avoid.

Ange Postecoglou

If Leicester want a more left-field option, a move for Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou could be worth exploring.

The Greek-Australian, 57, arrived in Glasgow as a relative unknown on British shores but has expertly crafted a squad packed with potential at Parkhead, implementing a swashbuckling style of play to match.

Having landed the Scottish title last term, the Hoops are now mixing it with Europe’s best in the Champions League and their boss recently said he is living the dream.

Though Postecoglou looks tailor-made for a Premier League role in time, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes a move to the King Power Stadium would actually be a downgrade.

The ex-striker tweeted: "Champions League team or maybe a Championship team next season. Why would Postecoglou want to downsize right now?"

However, it should not be forgotten that one of Postecoglou’s predecessors at Celtic was a certain Mr Rodgers, who could not resist the bright lights of the Premier League.