Former QPR Player, Martin Allen Appointed Leicester Manager

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Leicester Official Site
Allen Named New Foxes Manager

Leicester City Football Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Allen as manager with immediate effect.

The news comes on the same day that Walkers announce a new ten-year deal with the Foxes, which will see the Leicester-based company invest a seven-figure sum into its hometown club and retain the stadium naming rights to the Walkers Stadium until 2017.

The club can also reveal that Topps Tiles will be Leicester's club sponsor for the 2007-08 season after the two parties signed an initial two-year agreement which could see the Foxes net a seven-figure sum.

And there is further good news, with the club confirming that Alliance & Leicester had agreed to continue their sponsorship of the Alliance & Leicester Stand for a further two years.

Former MK Dons boss Allen has signed a three-year deal with Leicester, and arrives following extensive talks with Foxes owner and chairman Milan Mandaric.

Mandaric said: "I believe Martin Allen's arrival at Leicester City is a significant appointment as the club prepare for widespread changes that will bring underachievement on the field to an end and ensure that we are a highly competitive team.

"Last season's campaign was painfully unacceptable and I made it clear from the outset that significant investment in the first-team was a priority requirement if the club want to dispense with mediocrity and build towards success that will ultimately restore this club to it's rightful place in top flight football.

"Martin's arrival is the first of many that will ultimately re-shape the destiny of the club and restore belief that has been sorely missing in recent seasons.

"During the last couple of months I have been in front of numerous people who believed they had the right attributes to take this club forward.

"My criteria was simple. I needed someone with hunger, drive, commitment and potential to aspire to all our dreams and aspirations. And I believe Martin ticked all the required boxes. His undoubted ability is matched only by his infectious enthusiasm which will inspire the club.

"He was unquestionably the outstanding candidate to come before me and deserves the immense opportunity that awaits him.

"In my short reign since taking control of the club I have shared the supporters' growing concerns and frustrations. I have made it abundantly clear that failure is a word I have no desire to be associated with.

"But as we hopefully build towards a new and prosperous era success can only be achieved if unity prevails throughout the club. I have no desire to see the magnificent support of this club subdued by our evident shortcomings on the field.

"While I would never take the enormous challenge that awaits us for granted I remain confident that the coming campaign brings with it genuine reason for optimism."

Martin Allen added: "I feel honoured and privileged to be appointed manager of Leicester City Football Club.

"Having enjoyed some good times in the Conference, League One and League Two I now feel ready to make the next step up and take on the challenge of getting this team to win matches and to see us fulfil the ambitions of our Chairman and supporters.

"Along the way we will have some fun, some laughs, and a few tears of joy and sadness. But I can see the stadium being sold out on a regular basis to fans who can enjoy supporting a team which has passion - and players who are proud to wear the shirt."

Meanwhile, Neil Campbell, Chief Executive at Walkers, said he was delighted to have secured the stadium naming rights for the next ten years, as Walkers and Leicester City have a long shared heritage. Walkers first sponsored the club's shirts in 1987 and then bought the naming rights to the stadium in 2002...."
Leicester

MK Dons - CLUB STATEMENT

Milton Keynes Dons Football Club can today confirm the departure of Martin Allen as its manager.

After the club granted permission for Leicester City to make an approach regarding their vacant managerial position, Martin has decided to accept the offer at the Walkers Stadium.

The club will now begin the process of appointing a new manager to take the club forward into the most exciting chapter of its short history.

After a successful first season in charge, it came as no surprise that a club from a higher level was alerted to Martin's talents.

We would like to thank Martin for his hard work and commitment during his time with the club, and we wish him every success in the future. MK Dons

BBC - Allen named new Leicester manager

Martin Allen guided MK Dons to the League Two play-offs
Leicester City have appointed Martin Allen as their new manager.
The Foxes were given permission to speak to the MK Dons boss earlier in the week and chairman Milan Mandaric has decided to bring in Allen.

The 41-year-old has pipped current caretaker boss Nigel Worthington, Neil Warnock and Paul Ince to the post.

He took MK Dons to fourth place in League Two last season, where they lost out in the play-offs to Shrewsbury and impressed at Brentford before that.

In two years at Griffin Park, the former QPR and Portsmouth player turned the Bees from relegation strugglers into promotion hopefuls.

He has never managed at Championship level before, but the Foxes will hope his managerial success to date helps them improve after a poor season in which they finished 19th in the table.

Worthington took over as caretaker manager of the Foxes in April after the departure of Rob Kelly and helped steer the club away from relegation. BBC