Craig Shakespeare: Leicester caretaker boss in frame to get job on permanent basis.
Caretaker boss Craig Shakespeare is firmly in contention for the Leicester manager's job on a longer-term basis following Claudio Ranieri's sacking.
Shakespeare was Ranieri's assistant and is popular with the club's players.
The 3-1 win over Liverpool on Monday boosted his chances of being given the job until at least the end of the term.
After the win he said: "Could I do the job? I think I can. Does it faze me? No. We have to make sure the owners do what's right for the football club."
No timescale has yet been set for the appointment, but if Shakespeare remains in charge for Saturday's home match against Hull City in the Premier League - a vital game for both clubs - a return of at least four points out of six and improved performances would count in his favour.
"My remit was get them ready for Liverpool and I have done that," Shakespeare said.
"Let's see what happens. I think it might be too early to make an appointment but the club will come to me if there are any changes."
Shakespeare represents continuity, having been at the side of previous managers Nigel Pearson and Ranieri.
And, with just 12 games left this season, other candidates with higher profiles may not feel they have enough time left to arrest the slide.
Shakespeare gets on well with the players and is a highly regarded coach.
Former England coach Sam Allardyce thought enough of him to bring him into his coaching set-up with the national team, despite never having worked with him.
The Leicester hierarchy felt Shakespeare handled himself well in a difficult situation when he met the media after Ranieri's departure, showing just the right amount of steely ambition when asked if he would like the job full-time while dealing diplomatically with some tough questions.
He was also smart enough to avoid publicly shaming the players - knowing he has to work with them for at least a few more days.
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