Portsmouth relegation rivals face managerial battle as Watford close on surprise appointment of ex-Southampton boss' brother
The latest headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals.
It was a frenetic end to the transfer window at Fratton Park, with Pompey finalising their winter business.
Jacob Brown, Madiodio Dia and Gustavo Caballero all arrived on the south coast on deadline day, while Tom McIntyre and Callum Lang sealed permanent exits.
The Blues did fall to a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End on Saturday afternoon, which included two of their three deadline day signings.
John Mousinho’s men will now be looking for a return to winning ways this weekend as they face Sheffield United at Fratton Park.
But there are plenty of headlines doing the round across the Championship involving the Blues’ relegation rivals.
Relegation rivals duel for managerial swoop
Leicester City are still on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Marti Cifuentes at the end of January.
It’s been a hugely-underwhelming campaign back in the Championship at the King Power Stadium following their relegation from the Premier League last term.
The Foxes are currently without a win in any of their previous five league matches and sit on the cusps of the relegation zone following their six-point deduction last week.
Their hunt for Cifuentes’ successor continues following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City as they bid to avoid the drop to the third tier for the first time in 17 years.
Transfer guru Alan Nixon has claimed Gary Rowett is at the top of Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha’s managerial shopping list as they look at ‘seasoned bosses’ to lead them away fromany danger.
Leicester do face competition for the 51-year-old, though, with fellow relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers also reportedly keen.
It has been suggested Rovers are hoping to begin talks with the head coach to fend off interest from the Foxes as they search for Valerien Ismael’s replacement.
Rowett, of course, was sacked by Oxford United in December after a poor run of form and left the Kassam Stadium with the club occupying a spot in the bottom three.
The ex-Burton and Birmingham boss did keep the U’s in the Championship last term and finished one place below Pompey in the standings.
Watford close in on shock appointment
Watford are reportedly closing in on a move for Edward Still, brother of former Southampton head coach Will.
That’s according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, who has revealed the Hornets are expected to name the 36-year-old as Javi Gracia’s successor.
The Spaniard departed Vicarage Road at the start of the month, having felt he no longer had the motivation to continue as head coach despite only being in the role for three months.
Pompey’s Championship rivals have moved quick to name a new replacement, with Still closing in.
The 36-year-old’s only managerial experience has come in Belgium with Charleroi, Eupen and most recently Kortrijk, where he failed to win any of his eight games in charge before being sacked.
Still is the older brother of Will, who was sacked after less than six months in the Southampton hot-seat.
Southampton face defender battle
Southampton are facing a fight to keep in-demand defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis on the south coast beyond the summer transfer window.
The centre-back was on the radar of a host of clubs in January, with West Ham and Burnley both said to have held an interest.
Alan Nixon has since claimed the 24-year-old is being tracked by Serie A outfit Fiorentina ahead of a potential swoop later this year.
The report has suggested Harwood-Bellis would be keen to depart St Mary’s at the end of the season, if they were to miss out on promotion back to the Premier League.
It is believed the England international will cost north of £15m, with a number of clubs across Europe interested in a move.
The central defender has featured 28 times for Tonda Eckert’s side this term, which included two outings in both south-coast derby draws with the Blues.