Leicester's caretaker manager Michael Appleton confessed that nothing surprises him in football after Craig Shakespeare was relieved of managerial duties. Alejandro Moreno weighs in on the future of Leicester City after Craig Shakespeare was sacked just four months into the job.
Former Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has applied for the vacant manager's job at Leicester City, sources have told ESPN FC.
Leicester are searching for a new manager after parting company with Craig Shakespeare, who had been in charge of the side since Claudio Ranieri's departure in February.
The club's owners are keen to bring in a high-profile replacement to succeed Shakespeare and have sounded out former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel and ex-England boss Sam Allardyce, but both have ruled themselves out of contention.
Pardew, who had also been in the frame to replace Ranieri at the King Power Stadium, is keen to get back into management after having been out of the game since December last year, when he left Crystal Palace.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Pardew has expressed an interest in the Leicester job and is hoping to speak to the club's owners about the role.
Alan Pardew has been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace midway through last season.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has also been linked with the job but told his prematch news conference that there had not been any contact.
"It's not the first time I've been linked," Dyche said. "In a way, you're flattered because it's some form of recognition, but it's a paper story.
"I'm not aware of any approach from anyone in any time here. There's nothing in my consideration other than Man City on Saturday."
Leicester, who have placed Michael Appleton in caretaker charge ahead of this weekend's game with Swansea, have failed to win any of their last six league games and currently sit 17th in the table.
Shakespeare, who was initially appointed on an interim basis, helped steer Leicester to safety last season and he has thanked the owners for handing him the chance to lead the club.
In a statement issued via the League Managers Association, Shakespeare said: "I would like to thank the owners and board of Leicester City for giving me the opportunity to manage this fantastic club.
"My sincere thanks also to the players, who have always been a pleasure to work with. I have every confidence that, given time and once at full-strength, this squad will pull away from its current Premier League position and soon deliver the high levels of performance they have demonstrated over the past three seasons.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my coaching staff and the staff throughout the club, who I thank for their hard work and support.
"I will always have such special memories, both on and off the pitch, from my two spells working for Leicester City. Memories which I have shared with the club's outstanding fans. I would like to thank each of them for their support, especially in the past six months as I have made the transition into management.
"Finally, I'd like to wish Leicester City every success for the future, as I move on to the next challenge in my career."
Peter O'Rourke is ESPN FC's transfer news correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @SportsPeteO.
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Source: espn.co.uk