The lead candidate for the vacant Leicester City manager role, Graham Potter, has been full of praise for veteran striker Jamie Vardy in the past ahead of potentially managing him next season.
The Leicester City hierarchy have been working hard behind the scenes to find a replacement for Enzo Maresca after the Argentine manager left to join Chelsea after just a season in charge.
It is far from an ideal situation ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League following their Championship title, but Leicester have now identified their number one manager target.
Graham Potter has emerged as the lead candidate and is said to have been left impressed by the club during talks, but maintains reservations relating to the club’s uncertain financial future due to PSR concerns.
If Potter can be persuaded to take the job then he will be managing a player that he has been full of praise for in the past.
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Graham Potter comments on ‘master’ Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy is a certified Leicester City legend, having lead the line as the Foxes won both the Premier League and FA Cup.
Having signed from non-league Fleetwood Town in 2012 for a fee of just £1 million, Vardy has been one of the best value for money signings in the history of English football.
Now 37, the England international is coming towards the end of his career but still scored 18 goals last season as he helped Leicester ensure their Championship stay was a short one.
The Leicester talisman has since signed a one-year extension to his contract and will be hungry to show he still has what it takes in the Premier League.
If Potter is to take charge, he will be managing a player of whom he is a massive fan as he commented on the striker in the pre-match press conference ahead of his Brighton side’s clash with Leicester in September 2021: “He has been one of the best there is, a Premier League winner.
“Jamie is a master in his movement, a master of his craft, lethal in the box. His movement in behind is so clever, he’s tactically really intelligent
“He’s had an amazing career and is still performing at the highest level so we know we have a huge task but that is the beauty of the game.”
Vardy will have big part to play under Potter
Despite his age, Vardy should expect to have a key role to play should Potter take over as manager.
Potter has used experienced players in the past and got the best out of the likes of Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck in the latter stages of their career.
Vardy may not be as quick as he once was but he still has plenty to give and his sharpness of mind means his movement is still up there with the very best.
Leicester will need to sign another striker so that they can manage Vardy’s workload, but the man who has scored 136 Premier League goals will always be a threat and will subsequently be a key man in the club’s bid to stay in the Premier League.