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  1. 'Cifuentes will need a magic wand'published at 11:31 16 July

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    Marti CifuentesImage source, Getty Images

    We asked you what you thought of Marti Cifuentes' appointment as the new manager of Leicester City, as well as the timing of his arrival and what you expect to see from the Spaniard at the King Power Stadium as the Foxes aim to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

    Here is what you had to say:

    Jonathan: Even Harry Potter would struggle to get things sorted at the KP in the time left before the season starts! All catastrophically slow this summer. Who's staying? Who's coming in? Who's the best player in each position? What's our best starting eleven? And many more questions to be asked and answered. Is anyone at the top (pardon the pun) going to take responsibility for the glacial pace of change this summer?

    Steve: After the worst performing season in my club's history, mismanagement and indecision from the board, and no explanation why it's taken so long, I'm expecting nothing from Cifuentes. Little success as a manager, working now for peanuts, and zero evidence of past loyalty. He'll be gone before the end of 2025. Hope he's got a magic wand!

    Martyn: Most Foxes fans seem to be moaning about it. I'm actually quite optimistic. He did well at QPR under difficult circumstances, trying to play attractive football. A year to rebuild and I think he could do well for us.

    Steve: The last time we belatedly appointed a new manager was Claudio Ranieri... we all know what happened then.

    Simon: I'm actually fairly optimistic about this appointment. He offers the flexibility to deal with any of the situations we might face - from promotion races to points deductions and relegation fights! My only gripe, like for many fans, is why it took so long and why no change at the top of the club.

    Ross: Cifuentes got Leicester promoted without being our manager back in 2024 when QPR beat Leeds to secure Leicester's promotion, and now he will do the same again but this time as our gaffer. That's not a prediction, that's a spoiler.

    Maddie: I would say that he looks a good manger, but also I want him to bring some new players into the team to strengthen at the back.

    Kevin: Time for a dose of realism for us City fans, the club's in a mess. A few seasons back the job attracted the best, now it's become a bit of a poisoned chalice, financial and points deduction uncertainty etc. At least he wants the job, need to get behind him and hope for a good start.

    John: One word. Uninspiring.

    David: The last time City appointed an ex-QPR manager, we ended up in League One. History does have a habit of repeating itself!

    Lindsay: Promotion, no. Stability, yes. He needs to turn this team around and prepare them for a challenging season ahead. Bring through the youth and give them the game time, and build the confidence and experience to maintain their position in the Championship at a high level. Then push for promotion in future seasons.

    Tim: I'm OK with this. I wasn't excited about the other names floating around and he does like to play attacking football and has some experience in the Championship. May as well get behind him. Why not?

    Carl: A fan since 1969 through thick and thin but no longer. Lack of communication and respect with fans. This is not Leicester City as I remember it. Get the owners out. My respect for them has gone!

    James: Let's not get carried away. Let him have a chance before everyone shoots him down. Hopefully, he'll get the basics right, keep us up and build from there. Anyone thinking we're bouncing straight back up needs to wake up. Let's take whatever points deduction comes our way, use our youth and build again. Stay up, that is the goal.

    Lyn: I'm just so glad we didn't appoint Chris Wilder. The club now needs to back the manager with some funds to buy key players. I'd be happy with a season of consolidation - let's not put too much pressure on the team!

  2. Has Cifuentes arrived just in time?published at 19:27 15 July

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    Leicester City have unveiled former Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes as their next boss - but has the appointment come too late?

    Has the timing of his arrival got you feeling nervous for the new season, Foxes fans?

    Is Cifuentes the man you wanted when former boss Ruud van Nistelrooy departed?

    What do you expect from the Spaniard as you look to return to the top flight?

    Let us know your thoughts here.

  3. Cifuentes arrives with work to do but little timepublished at 18:20 15 July

    Jack Rafferty
    BBC Radio Leicester reporter

    Marti Cifuentes watching Queens Park Rangers while bossImage source, Getty Images

    Nearly three months after relegation was confirmed and three weeks since Ruud van Nistelrooy eventually left the club, Leicester City finally have their man.

    Marti Cifuentes arrives at King Power Stadium with plenty of work to do and not too long to get it done.

    In terms of the football, I'm told we can expect something similar to the style implemented by Enzo Maresca during his time at the club, with possession a key focus.

    That may have frustrated some of the Foxes fans, but we know it's a way of playing admired by the players who were part of the 2023-24 Championship winning team.

    But with the squad off to Austria this week and the start of the new season less than four weeks away, time is already against Cifuentes to get his ideas across and his players ready. He also needs to target new recruits with not much money to play with.

    The fans would have wanted this appointment confirmed much, much earlier. But hopefully now it's finally done, it's one they can get behind.

  4. 🎧 The managerial appointment wait goes onpublished at 12:01 15 July

    Media caption,

    It's Nearly Marti Time

    "It's going on and on and on, just get it done!"

    Jack Rafferty is joined by former Foxes striker Steve Howard to discuss Leicester City's pre-season as they await the appointment of new manager.

    It's looking likely their new boss could be former Queens Park Rangers head coach Marti Cifuentes but, for now, the wait continues.

    As to why the appointment is taking so long, Howard believes it's because the Foxes initial plans didn't pan out as they'd hoped.

    "I think they had a target in mind and they couldn't get him," Howard told the When You're Smiling podcast.

    "I think they went down the list and obviously Cifuentes is there. I quite like him as a manager.

    "I just hope for all the fans and all the team and all the club as whole that he's there for when they go to the pre-season training camp in Austria."

    Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.

    Listen on BBC Sounds
  5. How much did Premier League clubs earn in prize money?published at 19:32 14 July

    A close-up of the Premier League trophy with the gold lion surrounded by a green border and the words Ask Me Anything

    All 20 clubs earn a share of Premier League prize money. The amount each club receives depends on their league position and number of televised matches.

    Prize money consists of UK and international merit broadcast payments, equal shares, commercial revenues and facility fees.

    All clubs received a central commercial payment of £7.9m and equal shares from UK (£29.8m) and international (£59.2m) revenues.

    Clubs are also paid a facility fee for matches broadcast on domestic TV. Liverpool had 30 of their 38 league matches televised - more than any other club.

    1st: Liverpool - £174.9m

    2nd: Arsenal - £171.5m

    3rd: Manchester City - £165.5m

    4th: Chelsea - £163.7m

    5th: Newcastle United - £160.2m

    6th: Aston Villa - £159.3m

    7th: Nottingham Forest - £152.5m

    8th: Brighton - £145.1m

    9th: Bournemouth - £143.4m

    10th: Brentford - £138.9m

    11th: Fulham - £135.5m

    12th: Crystal Palace - £136.1m

    13th: Everton - £131.8m

    14th: West Ham - £130.9m

    15th: Manchester United - £136.2m

    16th: Wolves - £123.1m

    17th: Tottenham - £127.8m

    18th: Leicester - £116.9m

    19th: Ipswich Town - £111.1m

    20th: Southampton - £109.2m

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