Three and a half years into his second spell, Nigel Pearson was sacked by the club he had brought back from the Championship, overseeing arguably the greatest relegation escape in Premier League history last season too.
Some would go on to say that James Pearson's involvement in the shameful Thai sex orgy video that got three Leicester City players sacked was the straw that broke the camel's back for his father.
However, citing "a fundamental difference in perspectives," the club felt it right to relieve Pearson of his duties. And they were right to do so. Although Pearson's sacking has prompted disgruntled cries from dissenting voices - including famous Foxes alumni Gary Lineker - his growing portfolio of misdemeanours had become too much of a problem for a club attempting to move forward at the highest level. It was a tough decision, of course, especially considering how Pearson had lifted his players so brilliantly in the climactic weeks of the season, when they won seven of their final nine games to evade relegation, but the club was right in taking the bold move to start a new chapter.
The problem is, Pearson's admirable achievements in consolidating Leicester's status as a Premier League entity will be extremely difficult for his successor to surpass. This was a man who, although divided opinion and was often viewed by journalists as a brutish PE teacher, managed to bring the Foxes from being a mid-table Championship team to hammering Manchester United 5-3 on a truly memorable afternoon inside the King Power Stadium.
There is no doubting that, although he did little in the final months of his reign to garner an image as a 'nice guy' of management, Pearson was a good fit for Leicester. His free capture of Esteban Cambiasso will go down as a transfer masterstroke and further underlined his managerial competence.
These are the reasons why news of his sacking bore great shock and sadness to some corners of the Leicester City support. Now, the club stares into the darkness of uncertainty, tasked with the unenviable job of drafting in another manager ready to further facilitate the growth of the football club. There have been some fairly hefty names thrown into the ring, namely Guus Hiddink and Jurgen Klopp, but even coaching figures of this stature will struggle to make Pearson a distant memory.
Klopp, who is still unattached after ending his seven-year spell with Borussia Dortmund, would appear to be the favoured option for fans. The German has sparked a frenzy of speculation after admitting his next job could be in England but even his prodigious talents wouldn't guarantee stability and success on the touchline of the East Midlands club.
While possessing charisma and charm in abundance, Klopp is known as something of a maverick and there is enough reason to believe his headstrong personality could clash with the Leicester Board of Directors in the same toxic manner that clearly contributed to Pearson's dismissal.
Another high-profile candidate believed to be in the running is former Chelsea and Netherlands boss Guud Hiddink, who is currently the bookies' favourite.
The Dutchman obviously has a wealth of experience and has even proven himself as a shrewd Premier League operator - during his time interim time in charge of Chelsea - but his recent track record does not inspire a great deal of confidence.
Relatively brief and unimpressive spells with Turkey, Anzhi Makhachkala and the Netherlands suggest that Hiddink is a master slowly losing his powers. The statement of Pearson's sacking clarified that the club was still wholly committed to securing the long-term development of Leicester, so perhaps Hiddink, who is approaching 70, would represent more of a fleeting presence at the club.
Whoever replaces Pearson, their task is a substantial one. The club have not been busy in the transfer market and if Cambiasso chooses not to prolong his stay, the new manager will be faced with assessing the squad and adding players accordingly in a swift and effective manner.
Pearson's demise at Leicester City is a sad story with a sadder conclusion. Although many would point to his son's indiscretions as the breaking point in the manager-boardroom relationship, it is hard not to argue that he brought it upon himself.
Calling reporters ostriches and throttling opposition midfielders is always likely to nudge the exit door a little bit wider, which is why it's sad to note that Pearson's controversial comportment will be remembered quicker than his adeptness in drastically improving a bleak, relegation-threatened situation for Leicester last season.
Whomever the club choose to replace him has an equally considerable task ahead of them. Pearson had to go, but don't be surprised if his spectre looms ominously over the King Power Stadium in the forthcoming season.
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