Leicester Chairman Plays Down Sousa Link

Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric has played down speculation linking them with a move for manager Paulo Sousa.

Sousa has emerged as the clear favourite amongst the bookmakers to take over at the Walkers Stadium, but both the Swansea City and Leicester City chairman have denied that talks have begun to make the move happen.

Some bookies have even suspended bets on Sousa to become the next Leicester City boss as they believe the 39 year-old has already agreed terms.

What has possibly added to the speculation and the number of bets made on Sousa is the fact that Mandaric invited him to attend a recent match at the Walkers Stadium.

However, Mandaric told BBC Sport that he hasn't spoken to the Swans:

'Paulo didn't apply for the job and we're not in the process of any conversation to talk to Swansea,'

'That would normally be the first step for us but we didn't take that approach yet, I'm not quite sure if that's going to take place at this time.

'So it's purely speculation on the media side at this point... we have got 15 to 20 other managers that are applying for the job as well.

Of course I admire his [Sousa's] style of football and he's a younger, successful manager and everyone recognises that.'

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins also said:

'I'm very surprised and shocked about all the speculation,'

'I met with Paulo and [scout] David Leadbeater earlier this week to talk through various things about players and the weeks ahead.

'As far as I am concerned, everything has been running as normal.

And considering our relationship with Paulo and with his agent I would fully expect them - if there was any approach direct to them and not via the official route through myself at the club - to let me know about it.

'I think we have enough respect for each other to ensure that they would speak to me about something like this.'

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