Pearson rubbishes sack speculation despite Leicester struggles

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson is under the managerial microscope, with his side languishing down in the relegation zone of the Premier League on nine points after their first 11 games.

Coral make the level-headed Englishman a safe 16/1 (joint-ninth favourite) to be the next boss to leave his position in the top fight, but that has still not stopped talk surrounding his Foxes future.

“I find it quite irritating that every time we have a setback it’s always about a manager’s position,” Pearson said. “It’s ludicrous really but that’s the industry we work in.”

“I manage through highs and lows and those decisions are absolutely nothing to do with me. My influence is working with the staff and players. I cannot influence a great deal else.

“I will continue to do my job in the way I always do it, and that is to be as thorough and prepare the players as best we can and make sure that if they are having a tough time and doubting themselves. I will do everything I can to instil the belief in them to get a win in the next game.”

Championship winners last season Leicester are currently down in 18th place in the league, after losing five of their last six top-flight matches, and all of those to nil.

The Foxes started the season with promise, having come through their tough start against Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal, Stoke City and Manchester United, gaining a total of eight points. They have managed just one draw since, against basement side and fellow promoted club Burnley.

Leicester next face Sunderland at their King Power Stadium, and are 6/5 favourites with Coral to take three crucial points away from it.

“People don’t realise the difference in quality at this level,” Pearson added. “We have good players.

“But our difficult run continues. We showed a lot of commitment but the quality of our opponents put paid to us getting something from the game.

“We are a side who are used to winning games, but we are finding it hard to get something and that is something that has to change pretty quickly.