Marti Cifuentes: Under-pressure Leicester boss focused on form not club’s legal case

There have been optimistic moments in the early months of the season, with Cifuentes pointing to back-to-back wins against Norwich City and Stoke earlier in November.

There was even “encouraging things” in the second half against Sheffield United as they pulled two goals back from 3-0 down – through Stephy Mavididi and Jordan James – to set up a tense finish.

Cifuentes, though, admitted “the bar wasn’t very high” after a “very frustrating and disappointing first half” and the boos aimed at his side at half-time were merited.

There were chants of ‘sacked in the morning’, started by Sheffield United fans and picked up by pockets of Leicester supporters when the Blades went into the break in command.

“It’s not the first time that I got this song,” said Cifuentes. “Fortunately for me I’ve always got the confidence to turn things around.

“I understand the frustration and it was completely fair the reaction at half-time because it was absolutely below the level.

“But I’m very committed to try give the fans something back. I just hope they understand that I came here to fix something, and that they let me fix it.”

And when asked if he felt that the backing was there from owner Khun Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha and director of football Jon Rudkin, Cifuentes added: “We constantly have meetings about how we can improve things.

“It’s not an easy moment, of course, but I feel full of confidence about the task that I was signed for, which was to try to improve things.”