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Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has spoken to EFL Analysis about Leicester City’s decision to appoint Marti Cifuentes as their new manager.
Cifuentes was unveiled by Leicester on Tuesday after he signed a three-year deal to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy after he was sacked by the Foxes.
Leicester could be handed a nine-point deduction after they were charged by the Premier League with an alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules in relation to the 2023/24 season.
When you also factor in King Power’s ongoing financial concerns, money is tight and the former QPR manager has taken a pay cut to join the Foxes.
It came as a surprise to many but Maguire has a theory about why he agreed to a lower wage.
Kieran Maguire thinks Marti Cifuentes could get Leicester pay rise, but on one condition
Maguire is an expert in all things football finance and he feels that while Cifuentes is admirable for taking a pay cut, signalling his sign of commitment to the club.
However, he believes that the new Foxes boss could be in line for a pay rise if he can take the club back to the Premier League.
He told EFL Analysis: “Well, Leicester certainly have struggles. They are up on a charge for their accounts for the three years ended June 24. They would have been up on a charge for the three years to 2023, but they have a very good lawyer who successfully defended them.
“When their accounts come out for the three years ended 25, I think a lot of people will be interested to see the numbers.
“So it could be that he’s desperate to join the club. They will be one of the favourites for promotion this season. Therefore, he’s perhaps using this as a sign of his commitment. And it could also be that he would receive a significant step up or bonus should they be promoted. Therefore he sees it as a case of putting some money down now in the aim of this being recouped in ten months’ time.”
Marti Cifuentes brings QPR assistant to Leicester with him
QPR placed Cifuentes on gardening leave after he had held talks with West Bromwich Albion, only for them to hand the job to Ryan Mason instead.
Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett confirmed that a compensation package of £500,000 had been agreed with the west London side and as part of that deal, his assistant Xavi Calm will join him at the King Power Stadium.
The two will now begin working at the club’s Seagrave training ground ahead of the season opener against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday 10 August.