Leicester City news: Nigel Pearson backs Brendan Rodgers to deliver European football and expects Ben Chilwell stay amid transfer rumours

Leicester City news: Nigel Pearson backs Brendan Rodgers to deliver European football and expects Ben Chilwell stay amid transfer rumours

Nigel Pearson believes Leicester City are more than capable of challenging for a top six spot in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers next season.


Former Foxes boss Pearson enjoyed two spells in charge at the King Power Stadium and has recently returned to England after a stint in the Belgium second division with OH Leuven, where he linked up once again with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, who own both clubs.




Harvey Barnes celebrates scoring against West Ham United after breaking into the Leicester City team



Getty Images


7



Harvey Barnes celebrates scoring against West Ham United after breaking into the Leicester City team


With rising stars in James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire and of course the pace of Jamie Vardy in the squad, Leicester finished the season strongly under Rodgers, who left Celtic in February to succeed Claude Puel.


A ninth-place finish coupled with Manchester United’s poor form and question marks about both Chelsea as well as Arsenal’s capabilities has left Foxes fans dreaming of a potential top six challenge next season, something which Pearson thinks is not out of the question.


Speaking to talkSPORT last week, the 55-year-old said: “I think Brendan is a really good appointment for the football club. I’m sure they will continue to evolve the squad.


“There is a realistic chance for sure of them achieving the goal of the top six and European football for the following year. I think that’s something he and the club will be very transparent about and I think they’ve got a very good chance.”











Pearson’s name is certainly etched in Leicester folklore having played an important role in the club’s success on the pitch in recent years.


It was the former Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday defender, of course, who, firstly, guided the club to the League One title, before returning to the King Power, following a short stint in charge of Hull City, to complete the job, helping the Foxes win the Championship in 2014.


If two promotions weren’t enough, the Foxes then pulled off the great escape by securing Premier League safety despite looking down and out at Christmas, with many crediting the 55-year-old for putting the building blocks in place for the incredible title push which took place the following year.


One player Pearson knows well from his time at Leicester is left-back Chilwell, who has now established himself as England’s first choice left-back following a strong campaign with the East Midlands side.




Chilwell has committed his future to Leicester but is wanted by several sides



Getty Images


7



Chilwell has committed his future to Leicester but is wanted by several sides


That form has led to reported interest from Manchester City, but Pearson believes Leicester can keep hold of the 22-year-old starlet.


“He was a player who, even in my time there, there were links with really big clubs being interested in him,” Pearson explained.


“It’s a good example of a player getting playing opportunities at a club who have, subsequently, had incredible success. Leicester has been a really good place for him to learn his trade and I think now with Brendan being there, the ability for Leicester to compete with top clubs really improves the chances of him (Chilwell) staying there.”


The 55-year-old perhaps earnt a reputation for his fiery character with Leicester following public spats with a reporter and a Foxes supporter as well as a touchline incident with Crystal Palace’s James McArthur.




Nigel Pearson has returned from Belgium



7



Nigel Pearson has returned from Belgium


But in this interview, Pearson was a calm, thoughtful and an engaging character who seems not only comfortable in himself, but his surroundings, too.


He has renewed vigour after an ‘enjoyable’ spell in charge of OH Leuven and hasn’t ruled out managing abroad again either.


“I really enjoyed my experience over there,” he explained.


“No manager enjoys being sacked or having a season where results don’t go the way you want. The first season was particularly enjoyable. We just missed out on promotion. We had a very positive year.


“This year has been difficult, but the overall experience was enjoyable. I loved living abroad. I found that the players had a lot of humility. The format of the league was very difficult to be a success with.


“I think it’s important to take opportunities on their merits when they come along, so it (working abroad) is definitely something I’d consider.




<img class="size-thesun-article-image wp-image-550308" alt="Pearson spent four months with OH Leuven, a club also run by the Srivaddhanaprabha family" src="https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/05/Nigel-Pearson-2.jpg?strip=all&w=960" alt="" width="960" height="640" />



7



Pearson spent four months with OH Leuven, a club also run by the <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif">Srivaddhanaprabha</span> family


“The opportunity came along to work there because of the connection with King Power and Khun Vichai, who sadly passed away last year. The opportunity to work with them again was a big drawer. It’s a really good project to take on and I certainly have no regrets.”


Now back in the UK and out of work, Pearson has been linked with various vacancies.


He was reportedly interviewed for the QPR job and has also been linked with Middlesbrough as well as West Bromwich Albion, both clubs which Pearson represented earlier in his career.


The 55-year-old finished his playing career at the Riverside stadium and after retiring, enjoyed a caretaker spell in charge of West Brom, but remained tight lipped on any rumours linking him with either side.


On the Middlesbrough vacancy, he said: “I know the club. I enjoyed four very enjoyable years as a player but that’s a very long time ago now.




Nigel Pearson has Championship experience with Leicester and Derby



Getty Images


7



Nigel Pearson has Championship experience with Leicester and Derby


“It’s a job which would appeal to a lot of people who are currently looking for work. It’s a fantastic football club and I’m sure whoever they decide to take the role moving forward will have the full support of the chairman and it will be a great job for whoever gets the job.”


He added: “West Brom have missed out in the Play Offs and Middlesbrough have just missed out on the Play Offs. They are both clubs with aspirations of getting back to the Premier League. I think both clubs have now got the situation where they need to make an appointment based on who they feel will take the club in the right direction.


“If I’m interested in jobs or not, I’m not someone who normally publicly goes out and talks about it. But clearly, they are both really good football clubs with history, potential and they will be good jobs for whoever gets them.”




Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson apologises to journalist for 'ostrich' rant following Chelsea defeat



Getty Images


7



Nigel Pearson kept Leicester City in the Premier League in 2015, against all oods


This weekend, though, Pearson will don his walking boots as he takes on the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for the Welsh Air Ambulance, the University Hospitals of North Midlands Charity and the Wolverhampton and District MS Therapy Centre.


The former Leicester boss will tackle Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon alongside his wife’s sister in law as well as family friend Gareth Challinor, who was previously involved in a motorbike accident whilst racing in Wales.


Pearson said: “My wife’s godson Gareth Challinor was involved in a motorbike accident a couple of years ago on a racing bike. He had some quite severe injuries – he broke his pelvis, hip, arm and was in quite a serious state. He was airlifted from where he was racing in Wales to Stoke University Hospital.




A view of the north ridge of Ben Nevis



Getty Images


7



A view of the north ridge of Ben Nevis


“The idea of doing the challenge is to raise some money for the air ambulance and the hospital and the Wolverhampton MS Unit who he visited afterwards which helped with getting oxygen into the blood system to help the healing process.


“We’re trying to raise in excess of £3000 which will be split between the three charities. Already we’ve hit 40% of that so we’re going to try and surpass our limit. It’s an important part of it for a thank you from Gareth and his family.”


To donate, please click here.




Beste Galerie von kane.html - michelewilliamsphotography.com. kane.html nach seinem studium am berühmten londoner central saint martins college gründete christopher kane im jahre 2006 gemeinsam mit seiner schwester sein gleichnamiges label und begeisterte von anfang an mit verspielten raffinierten details sowie einem ultra femininen look, kane als jungenname herkunft bedeutung namenstag im
Kane.html (100) - Dekorationen Ideen


Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills has claimed that out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana would be 'perfect' for Pep Guardiola's side next season. The 31-year-old is expected to depart the club over the summer, ending his five-year association with the club. Lallana has been
Danny Mills encourages City to sign Adam Lallana - msn.com


/David Moyes has revealed to talkSPORT he was reduced to tears when he lost his job as Manchester United manager. It's crazy to think there are still two months remaining on the six-year contract Moyes signed with the Red Devils in 2013. The former Everton boss got his dream job when he was hand-picked by […]
David Moyes ridiculed by Man Utd fans over Marouane Fellaini



Eden Hazard 'will be raging' with Chelsea for place on bench in Europa League semi-final, says Dean Saunders The Belgian was a second-half substitute in Thursday's 1-1 draw with Eintracht
Eden Hazard 'will be raging' with Chelsea for place on bench




Simon Jordan has told Crystal Palace to cash in on star man Wilfried Zaha this summer, and believes £60million would be a fair price for the Ivory Coast forward. According to reports on Thursday, Zaha is keen to play Champions League football and has told the club he wants to leave Selhurst Park.
~ Wilfried Zaha to leave Crystal Palace? Simon Jordan says it



Tottenham fans have flocked to social media to mock Arsenal boss Unai Emery for selling Lucas Moura while manager of Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian netted a stunning hat-trick to sink Ajax and send Spurs on their way to their first Champions League final in their history.
Tottenham fans hilariously mock Unai Emery for selling Lucas

UEFA Nations League: English players who were unlucky to miss




Liverpool FC legend Graeme Souness launches fresh Paul Pogba attack ahead of Chelsea fixture has urged Manchester United to sell Paul Pogba this summer in his because he thinks the game is
What 11 pundits & ex-players have said Man Utd should do with


Tottenham vs Liverpool: Georginio Wijnaldum reveals lasting



Bayern Munich is set to host Borussia Dortmund in the 100th Der Klassiker contest between the two Bundesliga rivals and title contenders on Saturday, April 6. Kickoff from Allianz Arena in Munich
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund live stream FREE, TV


Manchester United news: Paul Ince launches stinging attack on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and says nostalgia is 'doing his head in' Manchester United legend Paul Ince has hit out at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for living in the past and says he is not up to being the manager at Old Trafford. Seven talkSPORT 5 days ago
Ince 'sick and tired' of nostalgic Solskjaer | FOX Sports Asia

No comments:

Post a Comment