Martin O’Neill tipped for shock EFL comeback as fans lose patience with current boss

A call has been made for Martin O’Neill to once again step into the managerial spotlight, with a Leicester City supporter urging the club legend to return and help rescue the Foxes from a worrying spell in the Championship.

O’Neill, who has already come to the aid of one former club this season by briefly returning to Celtic, is now being linked—at least emotionally by fans—with another familiar destination. As pressure continues to mount on Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes, some supporters believe the experienced Irishman could provide the spark the club desperately needs.

Cifuentes is in trouble at Leicester after another loss on Boxing Day

Leicester’s struggles deepened on Boxing Day when they were beaten 2–0 at home by Watford, a result that saw them slide to 14th in the Championship table. The defeat extended a miserable run of form and further fuelled concerns about the club’s direction during a campaign that has failed to meet expectations.

That home loss came just days after a heavy 4–1 defeat away to Queens Park Rangers, compounding frustration among fans. According to reports from talkSPORT in late November, Cifuentes’ position had already been under threat, and while there were brief signs of improvement afterward, back-to-back defeats have quickly undone any progress.

The mood at the King Power Stadium was telling on Boxing Day, with audible boos ringing out at full-time. Supporters made their dissatisfaction clear, reflecting a growing sense of unease around the team’s performances and overall trajectory.

A Leicester fan wants O’Neill to step in and replace Cifuentes if he is sackedCredit: Getty

Following the Watford defeat, Leicester fan Gurinder phoned into talkSPORT to voice her concerns and share her view on the club’s current predicament. She suggested that time may be running out for Cifuentes and hinted that upcoming fixtures could be decisive.

She pointed to Leicester’s upcoming clash with Derby County, suggesting that results in the next couple of matches could determine the manager’s fate. In her view, failure to secure a positive outcome would likely see the Spaniard dismissed.

When asked who could potentially replace him, Gurinder admitted it was not an easy decision, but she was clear about one name she believed stood above all others. For her, Martin O’Neill would be the ideal candidate to step in should the club decide to make a change.

She argued that the players no longer appear to be responding to the current manager and felt a figure like O’Neill could immediately command respect and restore belief. Even if only appointed until the end of the season, she felt his presence alone would have a transformative effect.

According to Gurinder, O’Neill’s experience, leadership, and positivity could provide a much-needed emotional boost. She suggested that Leicester’s situation could hardly worsen and believed the former manager would give the club a significantly better chance of turning things around than any other option currently available.

Her plea reflected a broader sentiment among sections of the fanbase who are longing for stability, authority, and a renewed sense of identity—qualities they associate strongly with O’Neill’s previous spell at the club.

The idea of O’Neill returning to Leicester may sound surprising, but recent events have shown he is not entirely removed from the game. Earlier this season, he made a shock comeback to Celtic, stepping in as interim manager following the dismissal of Brendan Rodgers.

That short spell in Glasgow proved remarkably effective. O’Neill steadied a club that was going through a turbulent period and reinvigorated both the squad and the supporters. During his brief tenure, Celtic won seven of the eight matches he oversaw, restoring confidence and momentum.

While his return to Celtic was always temporary, it demonstrated that O’Neill still possesses the ability to galvanise a dressing room and quickly make an impact. That success has only strengthened calls from some quarters for him to consider another rescue mission.

Leicester City is, of course, another club where O’Neill enjoys legendary status. Between 1995 and 2000, he oversaw one of the most successful eras in the Foxes’ history. Under his guidance, Leicester lifted the League Cup twice and qualified for European competition—remarkable achievements that elevated the club’s standing nationally and internationally.

During that period, Leicester established themselves as a consistent Premier League outfit, punching above their weight and earning widespread admiration. O’Neill’s leadership, tactical discipline, and man-management were central to that rise, cementing his reputation as one of the club’s greatest-ever managers.

Given that legacy, it is little wonder some supporters dream of him returning to help stabilise the club during another difficult chapter. Whether such a move is realistic remains uncertain, but emotionally, the connection is undeniable.

For now, however, Marti Cifuentes remains in charge, though the pressure on him continues to intensify with each passing week. Results have not matched expectations, and the atmosphere around the club has grown increasingly tense.

Speaking after the Boxing Day defeat, Cifuentes acknowledged the emotional toll the season has taken on his players. He admitted that the team struggled in the latter stages of the match and failed to apply enough pressure when it mattered most.

He stressed the importance of accountability throughout the squad and emphasised the need for mental strength during challenging moments. According to Cifuentes, Leicester cannot rely solely on favourable circumstances to win matches and must learn to cope when games do not unfold as planned.

The manager also reflected on the scale of the task he inherited, admitting he was aware of the challenges upon taking the job. He noted that certain dynamics within the club need to change and insisted that improvement is possible if everyone takes responsibility.

Cifuentes concluded by acknowledging the supporters’ frustration, stating that the fans deserve far more than what the team has delivered so far this season.

As Leicester prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, uncertainty continues to surround the dugout. Whether the club persists with Cifuentes or looks elsewhere remains to be seen—but for some fans, the hope of Martin O’Neill returning to provide leadership and inspiration remains a powerful and comforting idea.