Mandaric ready to begin manager hunt

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric is set to begin his hunt for Nigel Pearson's replacement this weekend, as he draws up his shortlist for the vacant post.

Mandaric has admitted that there are three or four key names in the picture for the job at the Walkers Stadium, and will begin making approaches over the weekend for his new man.

He will even jet out of the country to meet with one respective manager who has Championship experience, but whose identity is currently unknown.

The club owner has stated that he wishes a new appointment to be made before the team head out on their pre-season trip to Slovenia next weekend.

'We are drawing up a very short list out of 30 or 40 names of three or four people who we will approach starting today,' he said yesterday.

'Our objective is to hire somebody and bring them on board by no later than next week before the team goes to Slovenia.

'I am taking some short trips to speak to some guys.

'Our objective is to bring in somebody who has experience of English football, somebody who has done a successful job previously at Championship level.

'This trip abroad will be to meet a potential manager who has worked here in England so he knows English football. He is outside the country right now. We are confident we will bring in the right guy for this job.'

In the meantime coach Chris Powell will take control of first team affairs, and has been offered a new contract to extend his stay at the Walkers in his new role.

Paulo Sousa still remains the name on most people's lips, but Mandaric has stated that no approach to Swansea has been made, nor has Sousa applied for the post.

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