Leicester City have officially parted ways with head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy this week, ending weeks of speculation following their relegation from the Premier League. According to EFL Analysis, the club has now identified potential replacements, with Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Röhl among the names under consideration.
Van Nistelrooy’s departure statement showed no indication of regret or appreciation toward the club’s leadership, even as the decision was long overdue. The delay in confirming his exit drew criticism from journalist Henry Winter, who called out the club for taking too long to make the move, despite it being anticipated for weeks. With the coaching search underway, EFL Analysis confirms Röhl is one of the key figures being looked at by Leicester.
England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley mooted with Leicester City job
Earlier in June, EFL Analysis reported that current Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Röhl had emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Leicester City—a move that would likely be well-received by fans, many of whom hope to see Röhl replace Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The main obstacle in securing Röhl’s services has been his £5 million release clause, but Leicester’s hopes have been boosted by news that the compensation fee for hiring him has now dropped to around £1 million, should they decide to appoint him.
While Röhl remains the front-runner, EFL Analysis has confirmed through Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey that England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley is also on Leicester’s radar.
Bailey noted:
“Lee Carsley’s reputation is growing fast—his work with England has been very impressive. He’s being considered for multiple roles, and Leicester’s interest makes sense, especially given his proximity to St George’s Park. It could be a strong fit. Whether he’s ready to make the jump to club management is something to watch.”
Back in April, EFL Analysis had already linked Leicester with interest in Carsley, and he was even spotted at their match against Southampton in May, suggesting ongoing evaluation.
Among the three candidates Leicester have looked into following van Nistelrooy’s departure, Carsley has remained a regular part of internal discussions.
When comparing the two, both Carsley and Röhl bring impressive credentials, each offering a different but compelling profile for the Foxes’ next managerial appointment.
Danny Rohl’s managerial record compared to Lee Carsley’s
The key distinction between Leicester City’s managerial targets, Danny Röhl and Lee Carsley, lies in their experience at the senior club level in the EFL. While Röhl has already completed two full seasons as Sheffield Wednesday’s head coach in the Championship, Carsley has yet to manage a club in the division on a permanent basis.
Carsley, an Englishman, has only served as a caretaker boss at Coventry City, Brentford, and Birmingham City. If appointed, the Leicester role would be his first full-time position leading a Championship side. However, he has built a strong reputation through his work with England’s Under-21s, guiding them to victory in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship against Spain.
Following Gareth Southgate’s exit, Carsley was briefly named England’s interim senior coach, winning five of his six matches at the helm. On June 28, his England U21 squad is set to face Germany in the final of this year’s European Championship.
In contrast, Röhl has already proven himself in the Championship, having kept Sheffield Wednesday up in the 2023/24 season and leading them to a stable mid-table finish last term. Despite interest from clubs in his native Germany, the well-regarded coach remains open to continuing his career in England—potentially making him an ideal fit for Leicester as they prepare for the 2025/26 campaign.
