Leicester: New Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has promised his players there are “special things on the horizon” after watching them beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Rodgers’ appointment was confirmed an hour before kick-off, with the Northern Irishman replacing Claude Puel, who was sacked on Sunday after a seven-game winless run in all competitions.
The former Celtic boss was given a warm reception by Leicester’s fans as he took his seat in the King Power Stadium and watched on from the stands as Demarai Gray and Jamie Vardy both scored for the Foxes.
“He spoke to the lads in the dressing room. He was proud of them and liked the spirit. He promised them there are special things on the horizon,” interim Leicester manager Mike Stowell told reporters.
“The atmosphere has lifted with a win and with the new manager. I’m sure he’ll bring a lot of good things and he’s got a lot of staff with him. It’s exciting times.
“He’s got a presentation for them to show them what he expects on and off the pitch so I look forward to seeing that as well. It’s been a difficult season on and off the pitch, but I think we should be seventh with the quality we have.”
Leicester’s first win since New Year’s Day moved them up to 11th in the league table.
Winger Harvey Barnes, one of the team’s brightest young players, said Rodgers was “pleased with the result and performance”.
“He’ll spend the next couple of days introducing us to his style of play and how he wants us to perform,” Barnes said. “Our squad is very young, so with the manager we have now that’s only going to develop and progress.”
Rodgers, who returns to the Premier League for the first time since being sacked by Liverpool in 2015, will be in the Leicester dugout for Sunday’s league trip to Watford.
— Agencies
