Leicester City have identified OH Leuven manager Óscar García Junyent as a possible replacement for Enzo Maresca when he departs to join Chelsea.
That’s according to Be Soccer’s Spanish edition, who say the OH Leuven manager is being looked at by Leicester as they look for the man to replace their current coach.
Various reports have Maresca closing in on the Chelsea job, with the Blues seemingly identifying him as the number one candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino this summer.
A deal for him appears close to fruition and if matters play out as expected, Leicester will be on the hunt for a replacement in due course.
Several names have already been linked with the position but BeSoccer report that Óscar García Junyent is high up on the list of options.
According to their information, Leicester have even ‘spied’ on the OH Leuven coach in recent weeks, with Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester’s chairman, and Jon Rudkin, their sporting director, recently travelling to watch the Belgian side take on KVC Westerlo.
At the moment he is simply one of the candidates on the list, with no order of preference given at this point.
However, that small scouting trip has taken place and the fact that Leuven are owned by King Power, who also own Leicester, shouldn’t be overlooked either. That could facilitate a move, while Óscar’s experience working in England with Brighton and Watford shouldn’t be overlooked either according to the outlet.
Now we would take this with a pinch of salt for the time being given the source and those links between Leuven and Leicester. Óscar is also already appearing on the bookies’ lists at 9/1, so he’s not a complete unknown being linked with the position.
BeSoccer seem confident, though, and given the Maresca exit has been somewhat rapid and indeed surprising, perhaps Leicester would look at an easy option like this to replace him quickly.
