Shakespeare may not want top job in long term

Craig Shakespeare has pointed out that being a manager is "mentally tiring". PHOTO: AFP

LONDON • Craig Shakespeare is unsure whether he wants to continue as a manager in the longer term, despite the likelihood of him remaining in charge of Leicester City for the rest of the English Premier League season.

The 53-year-old Englishman has pointed out that being a manager is "mentally tiring", even though Leicester's Thai owners have told him that they want him to oversee the fight against relegation.

This means that he would also take charge of the Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Sevilla next Tuesday in only his third game in charge. The Foxes are trying to overturn a 1-2 deficit.

Formal talks are expected to start and revolve around Shakespeare's contract as assistant manager, which has 18 months to run, and his security should he not be in charge next season.

The owners are minded to keep him as No. 2 if they opt for a new manager in the summer, but Shakespeare is likely to want assurances that he would not be sidelined.

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    Craig Shakespeare has a 100 per cent record as caretaker manager of outgoing English champions Leicester, winning against Liverpool and Hull in his two games in charge.

Improved terms are also likely to be offered.

Shakespeare, who has overseen two wins with Leicester, will spend the rest of the season considering whether to keep the job, having already offered an insight into the elements that have taken him by surprise.

"I was shattered," he said after the 3-1 victory at home to Liverpool, his first match in charge.

"When you play you become physically tired. As a coach and a manager it is more of a mental thing.

"You have to get your head on after the game to talk to players."

THE TIMES, LONDON

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 09, 2017, with the headline Shakespeare may not want top job in long term. Subscribe