Nigel Pearson sacked by Leicester over rift with board
Leicester City last night blamed a breakdown in relations between Nigel Pearson and the board after sacking the manager who steered them to Premier League survival last season.
The Foxes paid tribute to the outspoken 51-year-old for his unlikely relegation escape but said it had “become clear to the club that fundamental differences in perspective exist between us”. They added: “Regrettably, the club believes that the working relationship between Nigel and the board is no longer viable.”
Pearson almost lost his job in February, hours after a bizarre touchline spat with Crystal Palace’s James McArthur, only to receive a reprieve. He went on to inspire a late-season surge that kept Leicester in the top flight, but still attracted controversy, calling a reporter “an ostrich” and wading into a verbal spat with club great Gary Lineker.
Former defender Pearson stayed in charge last month despite the club sacking his son James and two other players over a sex tape filmed on a post-season trip to Thailand that drew accusations of racism.
Pearson took charge of Thai-owned Leicester in late 2011 and led them to promotion in 2014. He won 85 of 182 games, including eight of his final 10.